The New Zealand center Rieko Ioane will join Leinster next season from the Blues in Super Rugby on Sabbatical, it was confirmed.
The 28 -year -old has been playing for Auckland since 2016 and debuting his debut All Blacks in the same year.
Ioane wrote on Instagram on Wednesday and said, “What (sic) UP FAM wanted to announce that at the end of the year I was heading to Leinster for a Sabbatical break.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, develop your game and experience something else with my family.
“They are tightening and preparing for the second half of 2026. Until then, he will be blocked with my Blues brothers.”
Ioane will spend six months in Ireland from December before returning to New Zealand, followed by international teammate Jordie Barrett, who joined Leinster this season.
Blues said on X: “120 veteran Blues Veteran Blues Rieko Ioane took Sabbatical Claus in his contract and will spend next season in Leinster.
“In 2027 we will have it back (right) blue. We still have to do this year.”
Ioane again joins the Blues in Super Rugby after the next season
The transfer is the latest in the running of the large movements of Leinster.
The province based in Dublin was previously signed by Springbok Lock RG Snyman of Munster’s rivals when he was latterly named for a selection between Snyman and Jean Klenem-Kleyyn Irish-qualified until he was re-captured in 2023 by the South African Republic.
Snyman’s Treaty – informed about his initial signature as a one -year agreement – was also renewed despite Leinster’s castles James Ryan and Joe McCarthy, now both have the central IRFU agreements.
Leinster also renewed a contract with the French Tighthead Prop Rabah Slimani for the next season, a step that angry some outside the province after the new IRF director David Humphreys said it would not be allowed to sign NIQ (NiRish qualified) players from 2025/26 To conclude that, based on case case cases, cases cannot be concluded that cases are based on case cases.
Ioane – like Jordie Barrett in front of him – will arrive despite the Leinster Middle Field, including Ireland International Garry Ringros and Robbie Henshaw.
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