All Black Ioane to join Leinster on six-month 'sabbatical'

The move will take the 28-year-old to the former team of Ireland legend Jonny Sexton with whom he had an ugly spat at the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final which the All Blacks won. He will join from December on a six-month stay, taking advantage of a clause in his contract with the Blues that allows him to take a one-season "sabbatical break" from Super Rugby Pacific. "120-game Blues veteran Rieko Ioane has taken up the sabbatical clause in his contract and will spend next season at Leinster," the Blues said on X.