Rieko Ioane will join Irish powerhouse Leinster on a short-term deal

Rieko Ioane to join Leinster in 2025 after activating a sabbatical clause in his Blues contract, with the All Blacks star set for a six-month stint in Ireland before returning for the 2027 season.

Rieko Ioane of the Blues acknowledges the crowd after their win in the round nine Super Rugby Pacific match against the ACT Brumbies at Eden Park on April 20, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane to join Leinster for the 2025 season was confirmed on Tuesday, marking a high-profile move that could shake up European rugby next year. The New Zealand Rugby star announced via social media that he will temporarily leave his Super Rugby Pacific side, the Blues, to take up a six-month sabbatical with Irish club Leinster.

The decision allows Ioane to explore new challenges while remaining eligible for New Zealand national selection, making this a calculated move for both personal and professional growth.

"120-game Blues veteran Rieko Ioane has taken up the sabbatical clause in his contract and will spend next season at Leinster," the Blues wrote on their official X account, confirming the Rieko Ioane Leinster move. "We will have him back in (the right) blue in 2027."

A bold move to Europe for growth and family

The 28-year-old, who has earned 81 caps for the All Blacks, is seeking both a new experience and a fresh environment for his game and family. He made clear that his move was motivated not just by rugby ambitions but by personal growth.

"It's an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, grow my game and experience something different with my family," Ioane said on his personal social media accounts. "Will be back refreshed and ready to rock second half of 2026."

Ioane’s temporary switch echoes the career strategy of several All Blacks who’ve taken sabbaticals abroad to avoid burnout and gain international club experience without jeopardizing their eligibility for the national team.

The Blues, while disappointed to lose their star backline player for the 2025 campaign, will welcome him back in time for the 2026 season. According to the terms of his sabbatical, Ioane will be eligible for New Zealand selection again later that year—critical timing as the All Blacks look to rebuild toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

From Rugby World Cup clashes to Leinster’s next campaign

Ioane’s arrival at Leinster adds spice to an already loaded backline for the Irish province. His move also reunites him with familiar faces, as several Southern Hemisphere stars have joined the URC and Champions Cup circuits in recent years.

Interestingly, Ioane had a contentious moment with Ireland’s Jonny Sexton after New Zealand knocked out Ireland in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final. That emotional match featured a post-game exchange between the two, making Ioane’s move to Sexton's former club an unexpected twist.

However, Leinster fans will likely set that aside as they prepare to welcome one of rugby’s most dynamic midfielders. The four-time European champions will be hoping that Ioane’s experience and flair help them break their recent pattern of near-misses in the Champions Cup.

Leinster’s recruitment strategy is paying off. With Ioane joining for a season-long stint, he follows in the footsteps of Jordie Barrett—another All Black who joined the Dublin-based side for the current season.

The Irish province is in red-hot form, having crushed Glasgow 52-0 in the Champions Cup quarter-finals last weekend. They now face Northampton Saints in the semi-finals, while Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles clash on the other side of the draw.

The inclusion of Ioane next season could prove a turning point for Leinster, who have not lifted the European crown since 2018 despite reaching three consecutive finals.

Super Rugby exodus continues

Ioane’s announcement also highlights an ongoing trend: top New Zealand players taking temporary or permanent deals overseas. On the same day as Ioane’s news, fellow All Black winger Mark Tele'a confirmed he would head to Japan—though details of his contract remain undisclosed.

New Zealand Rugby’s allowance for short-term sabbaticals is a strategic move designed to retain their top talent long-term. Players like Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick, and now Rieko Ioane have taken advantage of this flexibility in recent years.

Ioane’s choice to join Leinster on sabbatical ensures he remains in the All Blacks conversation while gaining invaluable international experience.

Leinster are acquiring not just a famous name but a versatile and powerful player. Ioane has played across the backline but has cemented himself as a hard-running centre with a keen eye for gaps and an ability to finish tries at the highest level.

His 81-test appearances with the All Blacks include unforgettable moments—none more so than his breakout performances at just 19 years old in 2016. Over the past nine years, Ioane has built a reputation as one of world rugby’s most dangerous attackers, combining pace, strength, and skill.

His inclusion in the Leinster squad will not only raise expectations but also put added pressure on opponents both in the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup.

All Blacks remain priority for 2026 and beyond

Despite the allure of European rugby, Ioane has made it clear that his long-term commitment lies with the All Blacks. The six-month stint in Ireland gives him fresh perspective while preserving his availability for the latter half of the 2026 test calendar.

With the Rugby World Cup in Australia looming in 2027, New Zealand selectors will be pleased that Ioane’s break abroad is brief. His return could coincide with a new coaching setup or a revamped squad as the team looks to bounce back from the heartbreak of the 2023 final loss to South Africa.

The decision for Rieko Ioane to join Leinster on sabbatical is a win-win for all involved. The player gains exposure to a new rugby environment, Leinster strengthen their already elite squad, and New Zealand Rugby retains one of its premier talents long-term.

Leinster fans can now look forward to one of world rugby’s most explosive backs donning the blue jersey next season—if only for a short while. Meanwhile, Ioane’s journey continues, bringing excitement, adaptability, and global appeal to a new chapter in his storied career.