ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Monday Oct 9, 2017

Rieko Ioane calls Springboks and All Blacks classic toughest Test he's played

Winger Rieko Ioane has said that Saturday’s epic 25-24 Test win over South Africa in Cape Town was the toughest he’s played so far in his young career. Ioane, who had a try disallowed in the first half, scored a crucial intercept try in the second.

Ioane, still just 20-years-old, has cemented his place as the regular left wing starter for the All Blacks, after coming in for a slightly out of form Julian Savea.

In scoring on Saturday, Ioane became joint top try-scorer in this year’s Rugby Championship, tied with Wallaby fullback Israel Folau on five tries each.

The match lived up to the hype, according to Ioane, who first played NZ Sevens aged 17.

“They were saying it is one of the tougher Test matches, and for me, that was the toughest one I’ve ever played and one that I won’t be forgetting,” Ioane said.

The first half of the match lasted a gruelling 50 minutes, as South Africa piled on the pressure.

“I think, after that first half though, the game would have been over – it was that long.

“They rushed up and brought a lot of line speed, and I think that put us under a bit of pressure, especially in that first half. Nothing was really sticking for us, a couple of passes were dropped.

“They just put us under huge defensive pressure with their line speed and I think that flowed on well for them. But it was good that the boys were able to grind it out and come away with the victory.”

On his try, Ioane says that he just ran, despite being gassed at the time.

“We were on defence for a bit, the ball popped up and I had the easiest job, to just run it in and put the ball down. I did my bit, credit was to the boys for their hard work on defence.

“My lungs were blowing, my legs were gone and I was just hoping that I’d make it the full distance. These young legs managed to do it. I was just happy enough to get over the line, sucking a few big ones on the way back.”

The All Blacks now head back home for a week off before they begin preparations for the third and final Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies, in Brisbane on October 21st.

Catch up on highlights from the match below

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 173 WEEKS AGO

    scottish prop saves fire victim

  • 177 WEEKS AGO

    New Rugby X tournament insane

  • 204 WEEKS AGO

    Vunipola stands by his comments supporting...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Heart Breaking Six Nations Ending For Italy As Scotland Score Long Range Try

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Montpellier Number Eight Zach Mercer Outlandish Attacking Skill

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Damian Penaud Pulls Off a "van der Merwe" in Outrageous French Try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland Winger James Lowe With World Class Finish In Titanic Battle With France

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Sonny-Bill Williams Gives Irish U20 Star A Shoutout For Classy Offload

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    England and Ireland fans express disappointment in grand slam refereeing decisions

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    England Fullback Shown Red For Collision With Opposite Number

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Springbok Flyhalf Back With A Bang In Huge Development For World Champions

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Shocking Scenes As Rugby Players Attacked Following Rivalry Clash In South Africa

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    A Look Back At Rugby’s Greatest Ever Film

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Sevens magic as 'headed' try brings stadium to its feet

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Almost 35,000 have now signed petition to reverse new grassroots tackle laws

View All

Funnies

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Jonathan Sexton Fantastic Comeback Caught On Ref Mic

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Hilarious Footage Of English Players Post Leg Day Workout

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen leaves viewers in stitches with hilarious post-match interview mistake

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    A Look Back At Rugby’s Greatest Ever Film

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    "Talk Is Cheap" - Jamie Ritchie Responds To Dan Biggar's Pre-Match Comments

View All

Amateur

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 34 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Youth and experience combine in an effort to repeat Six Nations upset

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Wales international releases emotional statement after being offered contract that isn’t enough to feed family

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea causes outrage with ‘throat slitting’ gesture

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Smith, Marchant and Murley released from England camp to take part in 'Big Game 14'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen leaves viewers in stitches with hilarious post-match interview mistake

View All