Rugby star Rieko Ioane will join Leinster in Ireland for the 2025-26 season.
The New Zealand All Blacks star has signed a one-season contract with the Irish rugby union club, who are four-time European champions and the most successful team in the history of the United Rugby Championship, which is contested between teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales, and South Africa.
A rugby sevens Olympian in the inaugural tournament at Rio 2016, Ioane is taking advantage of a sabbatical clause in his contract which allows him to spend time at another club before returning to his parent club.
The 28-year-old remains under contract to The Blues in his native New Zealand until 2027.
Ioane said on social media, “…I’ll be heading to Leinster at the end of the year on a sabbatical break. It’s an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, grow my game and experience something different with my family.
“[I] will be back refreshed and ready to rock second half of 2026. Until then locked in with my blues brothers.”