Rieko Ioane answers All Blacks SOS while Dave Rennie issues Scott Barrett and Fabian Holland fitness update

Experienced outside back Rieko Ioane has been called up to the All Blacks squad as injury cover ahead of Saturday’s Test against Ireland in Auckland.

New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed that Ioane, who recently completed a sabbatical at Irish province Leinster, has been invited to train with the squad in the build-up to the eagerly anticipated Nations Championship Test at Eden Park.

The 29-year-old’s omission from Rennie’s original 34-man squad last month was a big surprise although the All Blacks boss hinted that Ioane would be considered for the upcoming tour to South Africa in August and September.

The 88-Test star, who is comfortable on the wing or at outside centre, comes into the squad after Leroy Carter was injured in last Saturday’s Test against Italy in Wellington.

Leroy Carter an injury doubt

It appears that Carter, who was forced off with a shoulder issue in the first half against the Azzurri, is unlikely to be involved in the clash against Ireland.

His injury handed a debut to replacement Josh Moorby during New Zealand’s 47-17 victory at Hnry Stadium.

Another rookie All Blacks outside back, Fehi Fineanganofo, was not available for the Italy Test due to a sore shoulder.

“It just gives us a bit of outside back cover,” Rennie said of Ioane’s addition to the squad.

Rennie did not provide an update on whether Carter or Fineanganofo will be available for selection for the Test against Andy Farrell’s charges, or the likelihood of Ioane being involved in the matchday squad.

Caleb Clarke, who started on the left wing in the All Blacks’ 34-32 win over France in their Nations Championship opener, was not in their matchday 23 for the Italy clash.

Rennie confirmed that Luke Jacobson, who was replaced by Test debutant Anton Segner at half-time against Italy, and Patrick Tuipulotu, who was withdrawn on matchday the previous week against Les Bleus due to calf tightness, are both on track to be available for the Ireland game.

“There’s a lot of competition for places,” Rennie said. “Based on performances over the last couple of weeks, we’ll make some calls around that.

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‘The competition is tight’

“There will be some really unlucky people missing out because guys have fronted pretty well for us, but the competition is tight.

“It’s a healthy problem to have.”

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Meanwhile, Rennie confirmed that ex-All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will not recover from a back injury in time for the tour to South Africa.

Barrett missed the Crusaders’ entire Super Rugby Pacific campaign due to the injury which required surgery.

Rennie ruled out any possibility that a quick recovery could see the 32-year-old being added to the squad ahead of the Greatest Rivalry series.

However, Fabian Holland, who was Barrett’s second-row partner in most of the All Blacks’ Tests in 2025, is recovering nicely from a shoulder injury which also kept him on the sidelines for the Highlanders’ 2026 Super Rugby season.

Rennie revealed Holland will play for Otago early in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) with the aim of proving his fitness for the South Africa tour before the squad is named.

“It will just be nice for him to get some game time in for Otago and then hopefully be available,” he said.

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