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Born in Auckland, Ioane also has family with the Taito's on his Samoan heritage. Ioane moved to Otago for university, after completing high school at King's College. Ioane was a member of his school's first XV from years 11 - 13, also representing New Zealand for touch and rugby league at school level. Ioane was also eligible to represent Samoa in international rugby through heritage, prior to his All Black debut, having previously represented Samoa U20 in 2015.
After the departure of established All Black Lima Sopoaga from the Highlanders, Ioane became a regular starter for the team during the 2019 Super Rugby season, despite the presence of experienced first-five-eighth, Marty Banks. Ioane was one of the highest points-scorers of the season, with 114 points in the competition.[2]
On 2 July 2019, Ioane was named by head coach Steve Hansen as one of four uncapped players in New Zealand's All Blacks squad for the 2019 Rugby Championship, with utility back Damian McKenzie ruled out for the rest of the year due to a torn ACL.[3] Although named to replace All Black vice-captain Beauden Barrett off the bench against Argentina, Ioane was not brought on to the field, with New Zealand scraping by, winning 20–16.[4]
Having not played any tests during the Rugby Championship, Ioane was left uncapped after the outstanding form of Barrett, as well as Richie Mo'unga. When New Zealand named their squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Ioane was controversially axed, with selectors preferring to take only two first-five-eighths, with Ioane's inexperience deemed to be a risk.[5][6]
Ioane made his international debut for New Zealand against Tonga on 7 September 2019, having been re-called to prevent injury to Richie Mo'unga. Ioane replaced Beauden Barrett at half-time, scoring 8 points on debut. Ioane's contributions brought New Zealand's points tally to a 92–7 win.
