Rieko Ioane signing ‘came out of the blue’ for Leinster star Jamison Gibson-Park who hopes All Blacks centre has similar impact to ‘outstanding’ Jordie Barrett
Rieko Ioane will link up with Leinster next season.
Jamison Gibson-Park has revealed the surprise felt in the Leinster camp when news of Rieko Ioane’s signing was announced.
The 81-cap All Black, arch-nemesis of Blues legend Johnny Sexton, is to move to Dublin next season on a short-term deal.
Gibson-Park, preparing for Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints, admitted: “It’s an interesting one isn’t it! I don’t think many of us saw it coming.”
After New Zealand knocked Ireland out of the last World Cup Ioane is alleged to have told Sexton: “Don’t miss your flight tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement, you c***.”
The Irish legend responded in his book, branding Ioane a “fake humble f***er.”
Surprise signing
Fans flooded social media to express their amazement at Leinster recruiting the midfield ace. Pressed as to whether that was the reason for his shock at the news, Gibson-Park confessed: “That maybe has a little bit to do with it.
“We would have heard whispers of the other ones [signings], but we didn’t really hear anything on this one. This one just came out of the blue.”
The Kiwi-born nine insists, however, that Ioane’s recruitment, to replace Jordie Barrett, who has had an enormous influence on Leinster’s season, is “hugely exciting” for the province.
“He’s an unbelievable talent and someone we look forward to having as part of the group,” he said. “We’ve had a similar set-up with Jordie’s signing and he’s had a huge influence, we’re hoping for more of the same from Rieko.
“Sometimes it’s good to have somebody that’s come from a different environment and sees things a little bit different. Jordie is a student of the game, he understands rugby very well. He’s added hugely in that way.
“His performances in the games have been outstanding. He’s a great bloke as well. He’s been a huge addition. Hopefully Rieko will have the same influence.
Leinster provide RG Snyman and James Ryan update for Champions Cup semi-final
“He’s been an integral part of that All Blacks team for a long time now. It’s huge to have someone like that in the group.”
Leinster’s foreign recruitment has paid rich dividends in recent times, with South Africa World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber having a transformative effect on their defence.
In the last two and a half games of Champions Cup rugby, the four-time winners have scored 142 points and conceded none.
“He’s been huge for us,” Gibson-Park said. “He’d only been there five months last year before getting us to the Champions Cup final. and we feel we have since come on more and more as a team.
“His influence has been massive. We all love working with him. We’re loving our defence. Our identity has changed a bit over the last year or so. He’s a great fella. Great to have around the building.”
In an interview with Planet Rugby over the weekend Northampton’s England scrum-half Alex Mitchell warned that when Saints hit their straps “any team is going to struggle to play against us”.
The bookies don’t see it that way, making Leinster odds-on favourites, but Gibson-Park insists he and his teammates do not have that mindset and will not struggle to stay in the moment.
“Why? Because we’ve come unstuck the last three years in the final,” he explained. “Northampton, I suppose, have been a little bit up and down in the Prem, but they’re flying in Europe. And they nearly tipped us up last year in the semis.”
Battle at the base
The clash between Mitchell and Gibson-Park is just one of many that will have the attention of Lions head coach Andy Farrell on the final weekend before next week’s squad announcement.
Gibson-Park, widely seen as leading the No.9 contenders ahead of Mitchell and Tomos Williams, watched the 2005 series in New Zealand as a kid and admits he would love to be involved this time.
“Alex and I have had some good battles over the years,” he added. “He’s a very dangerous player and someone you have to focus some attention on.
“There’ll be quite a big focus put on his game [this weekend] because of how much of an influence he has when the Saints are going well. I don’t know Alex personally. What I do know is that he’s a dangerous player.”
READ MORE: EPCR confirm semi-final referee appointments as well as ‘enhanced in-stadium fan experience’
