Rieko Ioane To Take Sabbatical In 2026

The Blues have confirmed Rieko Ioane will take a sabbatical in 2026, before returning to the club for the 2027 season.

Ioane has been a cornerstone of the Blues since joining the squad as a teenager out of Auckland Grammar.

From his explosive debut season in 2015 to his 100th Blues appearance alongside his brother Akira in 2023, Rieko has been one of the most dynamic and consistent performers in Super Rugby.

Blues GM of Rugby, Murray Williams, acknowledged the impact Ioane has had both on and off the field.

“Rieko is a generational talent. He’s not only been one of the most electrifying backs in the game but has also grown into a respected leader in our environment,” said Williams.

“He’s given everything to this jersey over the past decade, so we fully support him taking this time to head off on sabbatical and look forward to welcoming him back in 2027.”

The Blues have a strong talent development programme and look forward to the opportunities players will have to make their mark as the team prepares for 2026 and beyond.

Ioane will remain with the Blues until the end of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season and is available for the All Blacks through to the end of the year.

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