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16th April 2025
10:34am BST
The surprise news that All Black Rieko Ioane will be joining Leinster next season has Irish rugby fans in a tizzy on social media.
The 28-year-old will join the province after the conclusion of the Super Rugby season, replacing his New Zealand centre-partner Jordie Barrett, who will be leaving at the end of the current season.
Ioane famously had a spat with Ireland and Leinster legend Johnny Sexton, following New Zealand's win over Ireland at the 2023 World Cup.
Sexton criticised Ioane in his book for unsportsmanlike behaviour at the end of the match, before Ioane clapped back on social media.
Unsurprisingly, fans have been making memes on the signing and the Sexton/Ioane relationship.
In a post on Instagram, Ioane wrote: “Whats up fam just wanted to announce, I’ll be heading to Leinster at the end of the year on a sabbatical break.
It’s an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, grow my game and experience something different with my family.
“Will be back refreshed and ready to rock second half of 2026. Until then locked in with my blues brothers.”
His current club, the Blues, said: “120 game Blues veteran Rieko Ioane has taken up the sabbatical clause in his contract and will spend next season at Leinster
“We will have him back in (the right) blue in 2027. Still got work to do this year”.
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