All Blacks and Blues backrower Akira Ioane has revealed that he will be leaving the Blues and will be heading to Japan after the end of the 2024 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The 28-year-old has spent a decade with the Blues after being scouted from Auckland Grammar School.
The dynamic forward made his mark on the international circuit along with his brother Rieko Ioane, initially in the All Blacks Sevens team, competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics but missing out on a medal.
With the Blues hosting the Brumbies in the semi-final this weekend, the knockout clash will potentially be Akira’s last home game in the Blues jersey.
In a video posted by the Blues on social media, Ioane says it means a lot, being born and bred in Auckland and he never really thought about going anywhere else.
He says Auckland is home and will always be home but, at the end of the day he has to make a hard decision like this.
He adds it was a tough decision and he thought it was time as he has been with the Blues for 10 years since he was a young kid coming out of school.
Ioane says it is something he never truly thought was possible and he is truly grateful for the opportunity he has had with the Blues.
Ioane is expected to make an appearance this weekend for the Blues when they take on the Brumbies at Eden Park.
The Blues will play the Brumbies at 7.05pm this Friday.
In another semi final, the Hurricanes will host the Chiefs at 4.35pm Saturday.
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