Akira Ioane on the run for the Blues against the Stormers this year. Photo: Getty ImagesNaming the first All Blacks squad of the season this week, Steve Hansen had to tell a familiar story: why Akira Ioane wasn't selected. The ball-playing loose forward has been a member of All Blacks foundation days, but when it came squad selection, Ioane's name wasn't among the eight loose forwards listed. When asked about the 24-year-old's omission, Hansen wasn't afraid to underline the issue. I don't think we did in Super Rugby and other people played particularly well and put themselves in front of him."

Source: Otago Daily Times July 04, 2019 19:52 UTC