Planet Rugby Forum

Seneca of the Night wrote:He should be worth a fortune. He's phenomenal. And uncapped.

Seneca of the Night wrote:He should be worth a fortune. He's phenomenal. And uncapped.

Akira Ioane's inspiring play not only led Auckland to a Mitre 10 Cup premiership title but also "shoved it up" the national selectors.

That's the assessment of one-third of the All Blacks brain trust Grant Fox after the number eight's late-season form proved critical in the blue and white hoops winning a first provincial title since 2007.

Auckland beat Canterbury in thrilling premiership final
But Ioane's snubbing for the All Blacks tour of Japan and Europe may have lit a fire under the 23-year-old, which could ultimately change the course of his career.

Despite a yellow card in Auckland's 40-33 win over Canterbury on Saturday, Ioane was a constant threat around the park, casting a menacing presence for the red and black defence.

Fox admits Ioane has proved them wrong in the final weeks of the provincial competition but the onus remains on the loose-forward to continue his form for the Blues.

"He is really sticking it up us a little bit which is exactly what we wanted," Fox told Sunday Sport on RadioLIVE. "We made our decision around Akira and he has given us a response.

"He has done exactly what we wanted; we wanted him to show us that he is willing to learn and do some things that we think he needs to do to become a test quality player and he is aiming great strides.

"We just need to see that in Super Rugby next year."

Fox was delighted with Auckland's return to the top of New Zealand provincial rugby, left stunned at the turnaround of a side that just a year ago was one loss from relegation.

Alama Ieremia was brought in as coach earlier this year and he added Filo Tiatia, Tai Laevea and Sir Graham Henry to his staff.

Ieremia focused on structure, culture and discipline in a bid to rebuild Auckland into the force it once was.

Fox told Andrew Gourdie and James McOnie just making the final four would have been an over-achievement, but winning the competition is an outstanding accomplishment.

"Hopefully this is just the start of good things to come for Auckland Rugby in the next period of time," he said.

"The coaching group should take a great amount of compliments for what they have done this year in turning things around.

"It's been an example of if you can get the coaching structure right then you have a great chance of succeeding, and Auckland did just that this year.

"Just making the semi-final would have been considered a success when you look at where they came from, but to actually go on and win all but one game, beat Canterbury twice in a season, credit needs to go to all those involved."

Mitre 10 Cup: Akira Ioane 'sticking it' to All Blacks selectors after snub - Grant Fox
The former All Black first-five also threw a lot of credit to Auckland Rugby and Eden Park for allowing free entry into the ground for the final.

Over 20,000 took up the offer, providing a tremendous atmosphere for New Zealand's provincial rugby showpiece in a throwback to yesteryear.

Auckland Rugby's CEO Jarrod Bear told Sunday Sport that financial loss never crossed their minds as they look to reinvigorate the city's appetite for provincial rugby.

"I don't think we lost a penny. It was about investing in Auckland Rugby and getting people engaged with rugby in Auckland again," Bear said.

"It's going to be a continuing challenge to get people in stadia, because the home viewing experience is so good, but you can't beat that live sporting environment and being part of a rowdy crowd, going through all the emotions they all went through yesterday.

"We have been averaging around 6000 a game throughout the season, so to put 20,000 in the seats experiencing the occasion and shouting on the boys was a pretty good result."

Seneca of the Night wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:He should be worth a fortune. He's phenomenal. And uncapped.

He's capped through 7's, but like all players he could use the 7's loophole down the track.

I think he'd probably be an AB now if he had tidy, short hair and was clean shaven. He looks like an unemployed vagrant, and that plays into doubts about his attitude and workrate. Look how good he looked when he made an effort with his appearance I'd cap him.

Haircut is important for sure.

Ali's Choice wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:He should be worth a fortune. He's phenomenal. And uncapped.

He's capped through 7's, but like all players he could use the 7's loophole down the track.

I think he'd probably be an AB now if he had tidy, short hair and was clean shaven. He looks like an unemployed vagrant, and that plays into doubts about his attitude and workrate. Look how good he looked when he made an effort with his appearance I'd cap him.

Masterji wrote:He should have been on this tour and given a match against Ireland- it would have been sink or swim time.

UncleFB wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:He should be worth a fortune. He's phenomenal. And uncapped.

He's capped through 7's, but like all players he could use the 7's loophole down the track.

I think he'd probably be an AB now if he had tidy, short hair and was clean shaven. He looks like an unemployed vagrant, and that plays into doubts about his attitude and workrate. Look how good he looked when he made an effort with his appearance I'd cap him.

He looks more Samoan without a beard and more Maori with one - so that's why you favour him clean shaven!

Also, check Yourmother's avatar and your appearance argument vanishes like steam pudding on the marae.

kovana wrote:Play for the Manu Samoa Akira.

Seneca of the Night wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:He should be worth a fortune. He's phenomenal. And uncapped.

He's capped through 7's, but like all players he could use the 7's loophole down the track.

I think he'd probably be an AB now if he had tidy, short hair and was clean shaven. He looks like an unemployed vagrant, and that plays into doubts about his attitude and workrate. Look how good he looked when he made an effort with his appearance I'd cap him.

Haircut is important for sure.

Farva wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:He should be worth a fortune. He's phenomenal. And uncapped.

He's capped through 7's, but like all players he could use the 7's loophole down the track.

I think he'd probably be an AB now if he had tidy, short hair and was clean shaven. He looks like an unemployed vagrant, and that plays into doubts about his attitude and workrate. Look how good he looked when he made an effort with his appearance I'd cap him.

Haircut is important for sure.

How did Liam Squire get a game?

mr bungle wrote:

Farva wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:He should be worth a fortune. He's phenomenal. And uncapped.

He's capped through 7's, but like all players he could use the 7's loophole down the track.

I think he'd probably be an AB now if he had tidy, short hair and was clean shaven. He looks like an unemployed vagrant, and that plays into doubts about his attitude and workrate. Look how good he looked when he made an effort with his appearance I'd cap him.

Haircut is important for sure.

How did Liam Squire get a game?

Business up front, party out the back is a well respected lid in NZ

FujiKiwi wrote:I'm one of the haters. I don't see why Fox should praise Ioane for putting in a good effort in the last couple of games of Mitre 10 in order to send a big "get stuffed" to the All Black selection panel. If he's finally lifted his game out of spite, that says a lot about a lack of character.

I'm sure he's going to make a lot of good running metres against Brazil. Good luck to him.

booji boy wrote:

FujiKiwi wrote:I'm one of the haters. I don't see why Fox should praise Ioane for putting in a good effort in the last couple of games of Mitre 10 in order to send a big "get stuffed" to the All Black selection panel. If he's finally lifted his game out of spite, that says a lot about a lack of character.

I'm sure he's going to make a lot of good running metres against Brazil. Good luck to him.

So you think Frizzell is better?

guy smiley wrote:

Kahu wrote:You can't pick a guy playing at 60% of his potential and expect him to suddenly play at the level he is capable each and every game (which the ABs demand) even if his 60% percent is borderline selectable.

Unless your last name is Barret, Jordie.

FujiKiwi wrote:I'm one of the haters. I don't see why Fox should praise Ioane for putting in a good effort in the last couple of games of Mitre 10 in order to send a big "get stuffed" to the All Black selection panel. If he's finally lifted his game out of spite, that says a lot about a lack of character.

I'm sure he's going to make a lot of good running metres against Brazil. Good luck to him.

UncleFB wrote:

FujiKiwi wrote:I'm one of the haters. I don't see why Fox should praise Ioane for putting in a good effort in the last couple of games of Mitre 10 in order to send a big "get stuffed" to the All Black selection panel. If he's finally lifted his game out of spite, that says a lot about a lack of character.

I'm sure he's going to make a lot of good running metres against Brazil. Good luck to him.

What are you on about? He was player of the season for the Blues and he played all games. He's been putting in the effort in on the field all year (a fuck ton more than the Highlander's bench warming Tongan) - but the AB selectors obviously asked him to put effort into certain (stupid buzzword alert) work ons (obviously different from his role in the Blues) and clearly Fox thinks he has.

Seneca of the Night wrote:Could be the best off-the-back No 8 since Buck Shelford. Or could be the next Isitolo Maka.

Tae was here wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:Could be the best off-the-back No 8 since Buck Shelford. Or could be the next Isitolo Maka.

Seneca, imagine the carnage if Akira had gone the niggle against Buck. Yikes.

guy smiley wrote:

Kahu wrote:You can't pick a guy playing at 60% of his potential and expect him to suddenly play at the level he is capable each and every game (which the ABs demand) even if his 60% percent is borderline selectable.

Unless your last name is Barret, Jordie.

Ali's Choice wrote:One thing Akira Ioane will definitely need to permanently remove from his game is the niggle. The unnecessary pushing, shoving and head tapping/rubbing. At test level this constant need to push and shove will be exploited. Maro Itoje and co will goad him into trouble in a millisecond.

Enzedder wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:One thing Akira Ioane will definitely need to permanently remove from his game is the niggle. The unnecessary pushing, shoving and head tapping/rubbing. At test level this constant need to push and shove will be exploited. Maro Itoje and co will goad him into trouble in a millisecond.

I agree. After he had scored a try in the semi final (I think it was then) he threw the ball into the head of the defending player who tackled him as he went in for the try.

Penalty at the restart and a yellow card for being a dickhead in my game.

#nodickheadsallowed

Ali's Choice wrote:

UncleFB wrote:

FujiKiwi wrote:I'm one of the haters. I don't see why Fox should praise Ioane for putting in a good effort in the last couple of games of Mitre 10 in order to send a big "get stuffed" to the All Black selection panel. If he's finally lifted his game out of spite, that says a lot about a lack of character.

I'm sure he's going to make a lot of good running metres against Brazil. Good luck to him.

What are you on about? He was player of the season for the Blues and he played all games. He's been putting in the effort in on the field all year (a fuck ton more than the Highlander's bench warming Tongan) - but the AB selectors obviously asked him to put effort into certain (stupid buzzword alert) work ons (obviously different from his role in the Blues) and clearly Fox thinks he has.

Can you please stop with the ridiculous conspiracy theories? Your passionate advocacy for Akira is douche_chill-esqe It's clear as day why Akira Ioane has been consistently overlooked by Steve Hansen, and isn't rated the top 52 players in NZ. It's clear why someone like Brett Cameron is deemed more worthy of an All Black test cap than Akira Ioane. All season he didn't work hard enough off the ball or at the breakdown during Super Rugby. And he tried to start fights at every stoppage, in particular when the Blues were losing. Which was most weeks. He's had a shit attitude for ages, and hopefully his public humiliation in missing out on the Japan junket will shock him into pulling his head out of his arse.

UncleFB wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

UncleFB wrote:

FujiKiwi wrote:I'm one of the haters. I don't see why Fox should praise Ioane for putting in a good effort in the last couple of games of Mitre 10 in order to send a big "get stuffed" to the All Black selection panel. If he's finally lifted his game out of spite, that says a lot about a lack of character.

I'm sure he's going to make a lot of good running metres against Brazil. Good luck to him.

What are you on about? He was player of the season for the Blues and he played all games. He's been putting in the effort in on the field all year (a fuck ton more than the Highlander's bench warming Tongan) - but the AB selectors obviously asked him to put effort into certain (stupid buzzword alert) work ons (obviously different from his role in the Blues) and clearly Fox thinks he has.

Can you please stop with the ridiculous conspiracy theories? Your passionate advocacy for Akira is douche_chill-esqe It's clear as day why Akira Ioane has been consistently overlooked by Steve Hansen, and isn't rated the top 52 players in NZ. It's clear why someone like Brett Cameron is deemed more worthy of an All Black test cap than Akira Ioane. All season he didn't work hard enough off the ball or at the breakdown during Super Rugby. And he tried to start fights at every stoppage, in particular when the Blues were losing. Which was most weeks. He's had a shit attitude for ages, and hopefully his public humiliation in missing out on the Japan junket will shock him into pulling his head out of his arse.

What are you on about? Did you even read my post?

The only conspiracy theories floating around are yours when you frequently try and claim he hasn't been playing well - even when it's clear as day you didn't even see the match you're referencing.

My advocacy of Ioane is mostly in response to your one man war against him - you're the one who started this thread remember.

True Blue wrote:Chicken and the egg though aint it? Maybe he acts like a stroppy cvnt because the selectors keep stringing him along. Dragging him to AB training session after training session, then publicly ditching him and telling him he's not playing hard enough. Rinse and repeat. Would make most of us moody. If he ever does get some game time, it will be the longest drawn out debut of the pro era.

Meanwhile Matt Todd gets to bugger off to Japan, and then called back like nothing has happened. Oddly enough Piutau wasn't allowed such leniency in 2015.

#Canterbury Mafia

eugenius wrote:

True Blue wrote:Chicken and the egg though aint it? Maybe he acts like a stroppy cvnt because the selectors keep stringing him along. Dragging him to AB training session after training session, then publicly ditching him and telling him he's not playing hard enough. Rinse and repeat. Would make most of us moody. If he ever does get some game time, it will be the longest drawn out debut of the pro era.

Meanwhile Matt Todd gets to bugger off to Japan, and then called back like nothing has happened. Oddly enough Piutau wasn't allowed such leniency in 2015.

#Canterbury Mafia

Oh do grow up.

He was a extremely stroppy cuvt at the Olympics , very embarrassing and quite frankly a bloody liability.

mr bungle wrote:

Farva wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

Seneca of the Night wrote:He should be worth a fortune. He's phenomenal. And uncapped.

He's capped through 7's, but like all players he could use the 7's loophole down the track.

I think he'd probably be an AB now if he had tidy, short hair and was clean shaven. He looks like an unemployed vagrant, and that plays into doubts about his attitude and workrate. Look how good he looked when he made an effort with his appearance I'd cap him.

Haircut is important for sure.

How did Liam Squire get a game?

Business up front, party out the back is a well respected lid in NZ