Reiko Ioane has confirmed the news that broke this morning that he has taken up the option to take a 6 month sabbatical for the latter part of the 2025/2026 season. He will join Leinster for 6 months in December from the Auckland Blues before returning to New Zealand at the end of next season.
He will follow in the footsteps of New Zealand players Brad Thorn and Jordie Barrett who have taken up a short term opportunities to play in the blue of Leinster.
Numerous other New Zealanders have made similar moves to Leinster since 1995 like Nathan Spooner and latterly both Cameron Jowitt and Bryce Williams who were both part of the Leinster squad in the 2005/2006 season.
Leinster will replace one All Black with another as Jordie Barrett will return to the Hurricanes when his commitments with Leinster have ended. It is another big move by Leinster. Munster had two World Cup winners in their squad for two and four seasons respectively when RG Snyman and Damian De Allende signed on for 2 years at that stage back in 2019.
Injury ruined Snyman’s time with Munster and he only played 20 times over the 4 years he was with Munster after signing a contract extension in 2022. De Allende for his part played over 50 times in his two seasons in red.
It just goes to show how much Irish rugby is admired throughout world rugby. Yes the cynic will say the financial boost these players receive is the leading factor in them joining on these short term deals.
Rugby is a physical sport and who can blame these lads for taking up short term deals that will help them financially when there career’s come to an end. Many South Africans and now a growing number of New Zealanders have also decided on taking these breaks or sabbaticals in Japan as well as in Europe.
Reiko Ioane will join Leinster who have Gary Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector, Liam Turner as midfield options at this current moment. This move while it will likely cause more friction in the immediate aftermath of the IRFU decision to up the payments on certain contracts from 30% to 40% from August 1st 2026.
Any money gained from this will be kept aside to assist Munster, Connacht and Ulster in bringing through the next generation through their respective player pathways.
Ioane has been capped 81 times by New Zealand and like Thorn and Barrett before him will be used to impart wisdom and help out with younger players as well as trying to help Leinster win trophies in his short spell with them. Exciting times ahead for Leinster and their supporters….