Rieko Ioane touches down against the Rebels. Source: Photosport/Brendon Ratnayake/INPHO
MELBOURNE’S AAMI PARK hosted the Super Rugby season opener this morning with the Rebels hosting the Blues.
With several regular starters missing including Jerome Kaino, James Parson, Patrick Tuipulotu and Sonny Bill Williams, Blues head coach Tana Umaga opted for 19-year-old Rieko Ioane at centre.
And the teenager, who became one of the youngest All Blacks to make his senior debut when he was brought on against Italy back in November, didn’t disappoint — scoring a hat-trick of tries in the 56-18 victory.
Pauliasi Manu, Matt Duffie, Augustine Pulu and Melani Nanai also went over for the Blues, while Nic Stirzaker and Jackson Garden-Bachop were the Rebels try-scorers.
This boy looks destined for great things.