As Leinster’s Ireland internationals return to the province after a so-so month of international duties, there will be a new star among their ranks.
New Zealand back Rieko Ioane arrives at the province for the remainder of the season, having been on the fringes of the All Blacks camp for the past few months.
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Ioane is a contentious figure in these parts, after his feisty altercation with Johnny Sexton at the conclusion of Ireland’s defeat in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final.
The first man on the scene as that clash unfolded was Garry Ringrose, who will have competition for his place in the centre from Ioane.
However, the Ireland international said this week that he welcomes the challenge of an All Black joining the Leinster squad, and hopes Ioane can emulate the impact Jordie Barrett had with the squad last year.
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Garry Ringrose welcomes Rieko Ioane’s arrival at Leinster
8 November 2024; Garry Ringrose of Ireland, supported by Hugo Keenan, left, and Jamison Gibson-Park, in action against Rieko Ioane, left, and Jordie Barrett of New Zealand during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
There is a sense of déjà vu about Rieko Ioane’s arrival at Leinster.
Just last year, an experienced New Zealand centre arrived in the province to provide competition for Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw and co., and injected significant quality into the Leinster backline.
If Ioane can be half as impactful as Jordie Barrett was for Leinster, it will be good enough for Garry Ringrose.
“I can’t wait for Rieko to come in and get to play and train with him to get his perspective on things,” Ringrose told Balls and the Irish media this week.
I thought it was great with Jordie last year, when you’re rubbing shoulders with guys that have done it on the biggest stage.
And especially my position is unbelievably exciting. We’ll try and pick his brain and learn as much as I can from him. I’ve no doubt he’ll help Leinster perform and hopefully we can win.
Ioane infamously clashed with Johnny Sexton at the full-time whistle of the 2023 World Cup quarter-final, with Ringrose close at hand as the first witness.
Sexton, too, spoke this week of the impact that Ioane can have at Leinster.
“One of the biggest influences on Leinster has been foreign players, getting the right people in, and the right players, but first and foremost good people,” Sexton said.
When you consider the people that we’ve had over the years like Isa Nacewa – the impact that he had on, I can only speak about me, but the impact he had on me personally. Brad Thorn…the impact they’ve had on the environment and the values and all those type of things [has been] massive.
From what I hear, Jordie Barrett the exact same. Yeah, it’s a big responsibility he’s got and he’s got to follow some pretty special people and characters before him.
But look, I’ve nothing to do with Leinster anymore, really, you know, it’s nothing to do with me.
Johnny Sexton and Garry Ringrose were speaking at an event at Dublin’s RDS, as it was announced that the main arena will be renamed the Laya Arena when it reopens next summer.
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