Rieko Ioane move exposes New Zealand’s ‘weird obsession’ with Ireland as All Blacks great makes Leinster promise
Ireland celebrating against the All Blacks in Chicago, and Leinster-bound Rieko Ioane.
New Zealand Rugby continue to “run so scared” of Ireland since their shock Chicago victory in 2016 and it has resulted in a “weird obsession”.
That is according to Kiwi pundit Scotty Stevenson, who was speaking following Rieko Ioane’s surprise deal with Leinster.
On Sport Nation’s Scotty and Izzy show, Stevenson claimed that New Zealand “became obsessed” after the Irishmen’s first-ever triumph over the All Blacks almost nine years ago.
All Blacks great disagrees
Co-presenter and All Blacks great Israel Dagg differed in his opinion, believing that the Ioane sabbatical, which will follow Jordie Barrett’s short-term contract, is merely “a real sign of respect”.
For Stevenson, however, he cannot get past the fact that current Test stars are opting to leave Super Rugby and join Leinster in order to develop.
“When the hell did New Zealand rugby players think they were going to start improving their game playing in Ireland?” he said.
“I’ve been hot on this for years. New Zealand Rugby has run so scared of Ireland since they got dusted up at Soldier Field – I know you (Dagg) remember that.
“Then it just became an obsession, this country became obsessed with Joe Schmidt, with Ireland, with what they were doing and I don’t think it’s gone away.
“It is a weird obsession for me. Wasn’t New Zealand the home of innovation, wasn’t New Zealand the leader in developing players? Weren’t we suppose to be the country that decided on how the game was played and how our players were developed – what’s happened in that space?”
Since that victory in Chicago, Ireland have enjoyed plenty of success in matches between the two nations, including a 2-1 series success in New Zealand in July 2022.
Although they lost the biggest encounter – the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final – Dagg believes that Barrett’s and Ioane’s decision to join Leinster is recognition of their standing in the game.
“I don’t think it’s an obsession but I think it’s an appreciation and for me a real sign of respect with the way that they play the game,” he said.
“They play the game totally differently. You look at most of the international teams, they’ve got a good set-piece and they run the same shape, whereas Ireland were quite courageous and creative with their approach from phase play.
“They were competitive around the globe and teams had to start taking them seriously.
“We’ve always been told that we don’t really have any emphasis or focus on other nations and it’s quite arrogant but, for me, seeing what they’ve done has been enjoyable to watch.”
Ireland rivalry
Dagg also believes that people in New Zealand and around the world should relish the rivalry between the two countries as that can only add to the sport.
In fact, the Ioane deal has provided so much intrigue for the All Blacks great that he has promised to tune into Leinster’s games.
“We love rivalries, we love rivalry in sport and South Africa-New Zealand always had that rivalry. Wallabies and New Zealand always had that rivalry, but now we’re seeing another rivalry, which can only add a lot a hell of a lot to the game,” he added.
“People will stop what they’re doing to watch that game. I’m going to stop what I do to watch Rieko Ioane run out for Leinster and see the reaction he gets from the locals and the people over there.”
READ MORE: Leinster land ANOTHER All Blacks star as Rieko Ioane makes stunning move to replace Jordie Barrett
