The Akira Ioane appreciation thread

[Auckman]

Well justified criticism in the past on workrate, fitness, and discipline, including a rare public shaming from Hansen.

However, he was magnificent last night. Controlled physicality that was missing from the All black Bankwest downtrou 2 weeks ago, giving the team crucial go-forward. He even turned up at rucks, ripped possession from 2 dangerous Argie attacks, and added crucial lineout wins to his routine.

The big test was discipline. A past Akira may well have clobbered Marcos Kremer after he sent Snecky flying through the air. That didn't happen last night. He was obviously given strict orders to leave the handbags to someone else. Someone like the ill-disciplined Crusaders enforcer Cody Taylor.

[Gumboot]

Yep, he was outstanding.

[Steve]

He needed a rark up to make a pillar for a snecky box kick but bar that he was great.

Even though it was a high shot i loved how he man handled the argentine over his now try line.

Made yards with every carry and had great footwork before and during contact. Those subtle few yards are the difference between a defence getting their dander up and back-pedalling.

[Wild Beef]

Only one blemish with a silly high tackle. It was good to see him really pressuring Argentina on their try line though, just badly executed.

Otherwise outstanding and I’m stoked for him.

[Jb1981]

He looks good and restrained himself well when there was a bit of push and shove in Smith.

He’s been a frustrating player in the past but looks to have got his attitude right.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

I thought Ioane was very impressive last night. He deserves to be the incumbent 6 going forward. Frizell simply hasn't done enough I'm afraid.

[Not_Couch]

I wouldn't call him outstanding, that stuff is reserved for game breakers and superstar plays.

He did what he was meant to do, that was be physical in the tackle, climb over rucks and run it straight.

I personally think he adds a bit of the mongrel that he pack needs and also a running X factor that Frizzell lacks. He's a keeper for me.

[Guy Smiley]

He did what he was meant to do, that was be physical in the tackle, climb over rucks and run it straight.

This

[Gumboot]

I thought Ioane was very impressive last night. He deserves to be the incumbent 6 going forward. Frizell simply hasn't done enough I'm afraid.

Yep, Frizell's played pretty well at times but he never nailed the spot.

[Kiwias]

Akira certainly exceeded my expectations -- including not getting involved in the stupid pushing games.

[FujiKiwi]

He played pretty well.

I don’t mind his hairstyle being based on a Ponsonby latte, or his propensity to flash his lurid pink undies at every opportunity. As a Blues fan, I’m used to that sort of thing.

But there was one moment in the game where play had broken down. It might have been a penalty to the ABs, and the ref was chatting to an Argentine player. Akira scooped up the ball and made that he was going to tap the back of the unknowing Argie players head with it. All right in front of the ref. He stopped himself just at the last mini second.

It would have been monumentally dumb. It made me think that that old Akira stupidity is just below the surface and could erupt at any time. The worst possible time. As a Blues supporter I’m well aware that it’s always there, even when he’s playing well.

[mrbrownstone]

He was good and should be persisted with. Our lineout operated the best it has all season with him as the main target.

[Carter's Choice]

I though Akira Ioane was very good. This was my comment about him on the match thread.

Akira Ioane had the best match I've seen him play. And it was mainly because he was allowed to be involved. He was our main lineout target, and you could see his confidence grow every time he won a lineout. His running game was sold if not spectacular, but that's to be expected as he was running much tighter channels than he has historically done at SR or provincial level. He wasn't loitering out on the wing. Defensively Akira Ioane was very strong and his play of the day was the clever strip on a Pumas runner just 5 metres out from our own tryline to effect a steal. Akira was also more disciplined than I have ever seen him, and didn't get sucked in by the Pumas niggle late in the match. He was a key part of a vastly improved backrow.

With Shannon Frizell having a quiet test season, Akira Ioane has the opportunity to cement his claim to the vacant AB no.6 jersey. And if he keeps improving, working hard and playing like he did last night, Ian Foster has found his longterm blindside flanker.

It's extremely important that Akira Ioane keeps himself fit over the off season. He needs to manage his diet and train really hard over summer. I follow him on Instagram, and his feed is generally pics of him drinking beers with Rieko and their mates. That mindset needs to end. If he wants to party and drink beer all summer, he will return to the Blues pre-season looking like a bloated walrus and he will open the doorway for someone like Cullen Grace to go past him in the All Black pecking order.

[FujiKiwi]

I still believe Shannon Frizell could become an established All Black. He has had a similarly quiet start to Jerome Kaino. I think he will likely come back as Kaino did. Has shown a similar level of ability.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

I still believe Shannon Frizell could become an established All Black. He has had a similarly quiet start to Jerome Kaino. I think he will likely come back as Kaino did. Has shown a similar level of ability.

He had better display his Kaino-like chops sooner rather than later then.

The All Blacks wait for no man (with a surname that isn't Barrett).

[FujiKiwi]

I still believe Shannon Frizell could become an established All Black. He has had a similarly quiet start to Jerome Kaino. I think he will likely come back as Kaino did. Has shown a similar level of ability.

He had better display his Kaino-like chops sooner rather than later then.

The All Blacks wait for no man (with a surname that isn't Barrett).

Sure. It's not like we don't have options. Others have mentioned Cullen Grace, who I haven't be watching closely but who looks like a big, solid lad.

And there's Dalton Papalii who should be in the loose forward mix. Big, has an array of talents and can play 6 or 7.

[Enzedder]

I wouldn't call him outstanding, that stuff is reserved for game breakers and superstar plays.

He did what he was meant to do, that was be physical in the tackle, climb over rucks and run it straight.

I personally think he adds a bit of the mongrel that he pack needs and also a running X factor that Frizzell lacks. He's a keeper for me.

Definitely worth keeping - would love to see him up against the physical Boks and Poms and, Covid willing, that will come soon.

[Trapper]

I thought he went very well, that’s the best performance by a 6 since Kaino for mine although Squire had his moments without really nailing it. As CC said, he needs to keep working hard but as the incumbent I expect to see him named in the next run on side.

[mrbrownstone]

I still worry that Ioane and Savea in the same loose forward mix is a bit unbalanced, with both known primarily for their running game. However if Ioane continues to be a viable lineout option and play slightly tighter, it could work.

[Grandpa]

He played pretty well.

I don’t mind his hairstyle being based on a Ponsonby latte, or his propensity to flash his lurid pink undies at every opportunity. As a Blues fan, I’m used to that sort of thing.

But there was one moment in the game where play had broken down. It might have been a penalty to the ABs, and the ref was chatting to an Argentine player. Akira scooped up the ball and made that he was going to tap the back of the unknowing Argie players head with it. All right in front of the ref. He stopped himself just at the last mini second.

It would have been monumentally dumb. It made me think that that old Akira stupidity is just below the surface and could erupt at any time. The worst possible time. As a Blues supporter I’m well aware that it’s always there, even when he’s playing well.

True.. about the stupidity below the surface.. but lets hope maturity is what stopped him going through with that dumb move... what I think Akira gives the All Backs... is ballast in a dynamic form. All Black loosies are often full of lean athletes... Akira is a point of difference... he has that lower centre of gravity that can get him over the gain-line in those tight matches against bigger packs... that's why like others are saying, it will be interesting to see how he goes against the heavyweights like SA, England and France... not many forwards in the world have power and finesse.. let's hope Akira fulfils that potential...

[Dismal Pillock]

Went all fanboi and made this GIF;

[Dismal Pillock]

and again...