All Blacks hero: Scott Robertson has ‘made his bed’ with Rieko Ioane
Rieko Ioane and Billy Proctor in action for the All Blacks in 2025.
Former All Blacks fly-half Stephen Donald has claimed that Rieko Ioane’s days as a Test centre may be numbered having been shifted from that position earlier this year.
The Blues star was a key player in that 13 channel under previous boss Ian Foster but his form has waned with Scott Robertson at the helm.
Robertson gave him the whole of 2024 to find his best in the position before he was switched to the wing ahead of the 2025 Test campaign.
Billy Proctor is the player the All Blacks have played alongside Jordie Barrett in the midfield and he continues in that role against the Wallabies this weekend, despite failing to particularly stand out himself.
Ioane playing NPC rugby
As for Ioane, he is currently out of the 23 after being dropped following New Zealand’s victory over the Springboks at Eden Park.
“The way they’ve made their bed this year as far as the All Blacks coaches go, it looks like they do see him (Ioane) as a winger now,” Donald said on The Aftermatch with Kirst and Beav.
“Thirteen is obviously a position that if you walk the streets and talk to a lot of people, if there were going to be changes, that’s possibly where they were going to be looking at.
“In fairness, it’s great to see Billy Proctor getting a continued chance there. It’s not just a position you grow in to and get better and better with time and age, it’s also about your combinations.
“Yes, he’s played a lot of footy with Jordie Barrett but not at that level. It’s still a combination which is finding its feet as far as internationals go and then the combinations with the wingers.”
The All Blacks midfield will come up against a centre duo which has been extremely effective this year.
Len Ikitau returns from a knock and once again combines with the very talented Joseph Suaalii, who has settled in superbly since switching from rugby league last year.
The big Wallabies threat
“I dare say that combination is going to be tested like never before this week because there are going to be some threats, and more threats,” Donald said.
“If Aussie get the ball, they’re going to constantly come at you – that’s the way they’re going to play the All Blacks.”
Proctor has the tough task of defending directly opposite Suaalii in that 13 channel but Donald believes that Robertson is right to put his trust in the Hurricanes star.
“It’s going to be a big ask but I guess they’ve backed the development and the combinations that Billy’s forming around him, and it’s good to see,” he added.
“When he got back available for Super Rugby, he was as good as anyone, if not the best centre as far as New Zealanders go.
“They look like they’ve made their bed and offered a little bit of faith to Billy Proctor and the others. When you look at the team that’s been rolled out, it’s pretty similar to the one that played in Wellington.”
