The latest All Blacks squad has sparked plenty of debate, but no omission has generated more discussion than Rieko Ioane’s.
The experienced back is one of several high-profile names to miss out, with the selectors making a number of bold calls ahead of the Rugby Championship.
While some supporters have questioned whether Ioane’s spell at Leinster played a part, the reality is much simpler. He was fully eligible for selection, but after an inconsistent campaign the selectors chose to move in a different direction.
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Below, we look at the five biggest names to miss out.
5. Christian Lio-Willie
Lio-Willie looked to have done enough to earn another opportunity after an outstanding Super Rugby campaign. The No. 8 was among the competition’s most consistent performers, but fierce competition in the All Blacks back row ultimately counted against him.
4. Noah Hotham
Many expected Hotham to earn his first All Blacks call-up after another impressive season with the Crusaders. The dynamic scrum-half has long been viewed as one of New Zealand’s brightest prospects, but the selectors opted to stick with more experienced options.
