Akira Ioane

Early life and family

Born in Japan on 16 June 1995, Ioane is the older brother of current All Blacks Sevens squad member Rieko Ioane. His father Eddie Ioane played for Samoa at the 1991 Rugby World Cup and his mother Sandra Wihongi is a former Black Fern. Of Māori and Samoan descent, Ioane affiliates to the Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāpuhi iwi. He was educated at Auckland Grammar School.

Sevens

Ioane joined the New Zealand sevens team in 2014 and made his debut at the 2014 Wellington Sevens. He was a member of the All Blacks Sevens squad at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Ioane played for the New Zealand Sevens Squad in the 2015 Wellington Sevens. He was awarded as Player of the Finals in New Zealand vs South Africa. Ioane also played for the New Zealand Sevens Squad for Sydney Sevens in 2016 in February. In the finals he was awarded as Player of the Finals whilst his Brother Reiko Ioane got the Player of Tournament against Australia in the Sevens Tournament.

Super Rugby

He earned a Blues contract for 2015 after a stunning performance at the 2014 Wellington Sevens. He replaced Peter Saili who left for a contract in France. On the 2/5/15 whilst playing the Western Force he made a real statement on the game. He made 12 carries for 118 meters including a stunning try from 55m out.