” END OF AN ERA “: Akira Ioane will be leaving the Blues following an illustrious ten-year tenure.
Akira Ioane will be leaving the Blues following an illustrious ten-year tenure.
At the conclusion of the 2024 season, All Black Akira Ioane will depart for Japan, after an illustrious career that included stints with the Blues and New Zealand internationals.
After progressing through the Auckland Grammar School system, Ioane, 28, has now been a member of the Auckland Super Rugby team for ten years. Akira and his brother Rieko first gained recognition on the global stage as members of the All Blacks Sevens squad. They competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics but were unsuccessful in winning a medal.
This weekend’s semi-final between the Blues and the Brumbies could be Akira’s final home game wearing a Blues jersey due to the knockout match. Late on Sunday night, the team posted a video on social media that showed the Blues centurion’s choice. “It means a lot because, well, I’m an Auckland lad by birth, and I never really considered moving elsewhere. In the video, Ioane stated, “This is home, and it always will be home.” But in the end, I had to make a difficult choice, and I’ve chosen to terminate my time with the Blues this year.
Making the right choice wasn’t simple. It was just time, in my opinion. I’ve spent ten years here, ever since I was a small child dropping out of school. It’s something I never really believed was feasible, and I’m incredibly appreciative of the chance I’ve been given. “Leaving will be difficult, but I’m moving on to greater and better things for myself and where I want to be once I finish rugby.
“I have to make sure I have the resources to take care of my family, not just myself and my partner. That played a role in my decision to travel to Japan and maximize my career, in my opinion, towards the conclusion.
“Although I’m still young, I want to be involved in my son Ioane’s life and make sure he has everything we didn’t have as children.” “I’m thinking about them right now.” In addition to Jerome Kaino, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Steven Luatua, and his brother Rieko, Ioane took the time to thank each and every one of his teammates.
Even though it seems like Ioane’s time in the black jersey is running out, he had some incredible performances during his 22 All Blacks Tests and 13 Maori All Blacks matches. Although Ioane was born in Tokyo to a Samoan father, the transfer does not necessarily mean the end of his international career. Even though losing a legendary player is obviously devastating for the Blues, they are in a good position to move on from the loss because players like Adrian Choat and Anton Segner have a ton of potential to play in the No. 6 shirt.
“We will say goodbye to a club legend in the coming weeks. “The quintessential Blues man,” the club wrote as the video’s caption. “Originally from the north and raised in the heart of Auckland, Aki is a true blue blood. On Friday night, he might play his farewell game in front of you in an exciting semi-final matchup against the Brumbies. Come celebrate Akira’s ten years of commitment to this area with us.
