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Wellington - Blues wing Rieko Ioane is one
of five injury replacements called up by the All Blacks for Saturday's Test
with Australia in Wellington.
Ioane, who represented New Zealand at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro recently, joins Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie, Chiefs centre Seta Tamanivalu, Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman and Blues hooker James Parsons as new additions to the world champions squad in place of centres Ryan Crotty (head knock) and George Moala (knee), Waisake Naholo (hamstring) and hookers Codie Taylor (head knock) and Nathan Harris (knee).
Crusaders flank Matt Todd has also been
released from the All Blacks squad to rejoin Canterbury for their Mitre 10 Cup
campaign.
All Blacks head coach revealed that Ioane
has been included in the squad as both a wing and midfield option.
"He had a very good Super season and
he's really someone that we see in the future that could have a long
career," Hansen told Fairfax Media.
He added there was "a
possibility" the 19-year-old could feature in the 23 on Saturday. It would
seem a pretty big stage for him to suddenly arrive on, but the coach said Ioane
had packed a lot of high-level rugby into his short career sevens and 15-a-side
career.
Hansen it is possible that Ioane could be
included in the match day squad for Saturday's Test. Although it might appear
to be a big step up for a 19-year-old to take, Ioane has played at a high level
of the game during his brief Sevens and 15-a-side career.
"But this environment I'm sure will
really test him so we'll just have to monitor that and see how he copes with
it," added Hansen.
"If we think he's coping well enough with
it, then he may get an opportunity. If he's not then he won't."
"What I do know is that the time being spent with us will be worthwhile. We'll get payback for it somewhere, wither in the short term or the long term."
