All Blacks recruit Rieko Ioane as injury cover, Scott Barrett ruled out of South Africa tour

Monday, 13 July 2026

Rieko Ioane has joined the All Blacks in Auckland as injury cover ahead of Saturday’s test against Ireland.

The All Blacks have confirmed wing/centre Ioane, who played for Irish club Leinster while on sabbatical earlier this season, has been invited to train with the squad ahead of the Nations Championship test against Ireland at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night.

Ioane’s omission from All Blacks coach Dave Rennie’s first squad of 2026 was a major talking point when the group of 34 players was named late last month, although Rennie hinted the experienced player would be considered for the tour of South Africa in August and September.

Left wing Leroy Carter was injured in the test against Italy in Wellington at the weekend, and appears unlikely to be available to play Ireland.

He was replaced by debutant Josh Moorby at the Cake Tin.

Another wing, Fehi Fineanganofo, wasn’t available to play Italy because of a sore shoulder.

“It just give us a bit of outside back cover,” Rennie said of bringing Ioane into camp.

Rennie did not provide an update on how the possibility of Carter or Fineanganofo being available for the Ireland test, or the likelihood of Ioane making the game day squad.

Caleb Clarke, a specialist left wing, wasn’t picked for the match-day 23 in Wellington.

The All Blacks will name their team to play Ireland on Thursday and Rennie confirmed Luke Jacobson who was replaced at half-time against Italy, and Patrick Tuipulotu, who was scratched on game day the previous week against France with calf tightness, are both on track to be available.

“There’s a lot of competition for places,” Rennie said. “Based on performances over the last couple of weeks, we’ll make some calls around that.

“There will be some really unlucky people missing out because guys have fronted pretty well for us but the competition is tight.

“It’s a healthy problem to have,” Rennie said.

Meanwhile, Rennie confirmed that former All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will not recover from back surgery in time to tour South Africa.

Last year’s skipper under Scott Robertson, Barrett did not play a single minute for the Crusaders during their Super Rugby pacific campaign due to a back injury that required surgery.

Rennie ruled out any possibility that a quick recery could see him sneak into the squad.

But another lock, Fabian Holland is recovering nicely from a shoulder injury that also saw him miss the Super Rugby season.

Rennie said Holland will play for Otago early in the National Provincial Championship with a view to proving his fitness for the South Africa tour before the squad is named.

“It will just be nice for him to get some game time in for Otago and then hopefully be available.”