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.

"We will have him back in (the right) blue in 2027."

The 81-times capped Ioane, who was in the All Blacks side that lost to South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, said the spell would be a great experience for not just him but his family too.

"It's an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, grow my game and experience something different with my family," said Ioane on social media.

"Will be back refreshed and ready to rock second half of 2026."

The brevity of his stay in Ireland will allow him to remain eligible for New Zealand later in 2026 as they build towards the World Cup in Australia in 2027.

On Tuesday, another All Black, wing Mark Tele'a announced he was leaving to play in Japan, although he has not announced the length of his contract.

Ioane follows in the footsteps of Jordie Barrett, another New Zealand international who is currently with Leinster on a season-long deal.

The Irish province will face English champions Northampton in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup, having hammered Glasgow 52-0 in the quarter-final last weekend.

Leinster have won the trophy four times but lost in the last three finals.

If they reach the final they will face either champions Toulouse or another French side Bordeaux-Begles.