Justin Marshall claims Blues made ‘unhealthy’ decision with ‘ineffective’ Rieko Ioane as pressure ‘ramps up’ on Scott Robertson
Blues and All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane (James Foy/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire) and ex-Test scrum-half Justin Marshall.
Justin Marshall believes that the Blues only added to Rieko Ioane’s struggles by handing him the captaincy for their clash with the Crusaders.
The centre took on the leadership responsibility for the first time ever in the weekend’s Super Rugby Pacific clash, but it ended in disaster as the visitors claimed a 42-19 triumph at Eden Park.
Ioane was a key part of the Blues success last season but he struggled to take that form into the international arena with the midfield combination struggling to fire.
The 28-year-old was particularly criticised for his distribution and playmaking skills with the All Blacks often failing to contend with the rush defence.
Planning for the next World Cup
It is therefore a big year for Ioane, who needs to prove to Scott Robertson that he is the man for the 13 shirt looking towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
However, his form in a struggling Blues outfit has been subpar and may leave head coach Robertson with a decision to make.
On Sport Nation, host Mark Watson queried Marshall about the displays of the experienced All Blacks back.
“One player there’s got to be some concern over, and it’s only going to ramp up the pressure on him and going to ramp up the pressure when it comes to Scott Robertson is Rieko Ioane at centre,” Watson said.
“He just appears to be ineffective, he’s certainly not playing like a world-class All Black at the moment.”
Marshall defended Ioane, claiming that he has certainly not been helped by the overall team displays of Vern Cotter’s men.
“He’s not but when the team is dysfunctional, it’s really hard as an individual to step up and say ‘righto, I’m going to grab this game so follow me.’ I don’t think Rieko Ioane’s ever been that type of player like Tana Umaga was,” he said.
“I played under Tana and basically as a captain said stuff all. You get into the huddle when thinks are going right or going wrong and you look at the predator, Tana Umaga, for words of inspiration. He would just look at you and mumble a couple of words of like, ‘keep it up’.
“You’re like, ‘cheers mate’, but then the next set-piece we would do, the ball would get in his hands and he would run a line with that much energy, he would break a tackle, get an off-load and would create something.
“He was a leader by actions and I don’t feel Rieko is a leader by words.”
Cotter criticism
Marshall then went on to criticise Blues boss Cotter for lumping him with the captaincy when Ioane is already struggling to reach the heights of previous seasons.
“In terms of responsibility, he had the captain’s armband but I don’t think that’s healthy for him as a player,” the ex-All Blacks scrum-half added.
“With speculation and the pressure around him as a player and an individual, I don’t think he needs the responsibility of having to deal with the referee, deal with game plan, deal with what’s going right and what’s going wrong in the game. He just needs freedom to play.
“Dalton Papali’i, until [Patrick] Tuipulotu came back, he was the Blues captain, so he can take that responsibility no problem.”
