Rieko Ioane wants to play chief villain when the Blues step into a Christchurch cauldron that’s been unwelcome to visitors in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific playoffs.
While the All Blacks centre has been giddily prodding the Crusaders with provocative social media posts ahead of tonight’s semifinal, Christchurch might also be the stage for Ioane to break a Blues record that’s stood for 18 years.
Quietly, the 28-year-old has moved level with legendary All Blacks winger Doug Howlett as the Blues’ leading try-scorer.
He would surpass Howlett with one try against the Crusaders.
Ioane matched Howlett’s tally of 55 when he scored a hat-trick in the Blues’ 46-6 victory over the Waratahs on May 31.
If Ioane doesn’t find the line against the Crusaders, he would have to wait until 2027 as he is skipping Super Rugby Pacific next year for an Irish sabbatical with Leinster.
Should Ioane notch his 56th Blues try against the red and blacks to break Howlett’s record, his celebration is unlikely to be understated.
It’s a tall order because the Blues have a dreadful record in Christchurch, losing in 19 of their 23 visits and in 14 of their last 15 encounters at the Apollo Projects Stadium.
Christchurch was also the venue for fellow All Black Sevu Reece to break a try-scoring record three weeks ago.
The Crusaders winger moved ahead of Perenara to top Super Rugby’s try-scoring charts with 66 in his 84th match.
The Crusaders host the Blues at 7.05 tonight, while the Chiefs face the Brumbies at 7.05pm tomorrow in Hamilton.
[Source: Stuff.co]
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