IOANE BOYS IN FOR LONG HAUL
New Zealand Rugby is celebrating two major retention victories after both Rieko and Akira Ioane extended their contracts.
Rieko has locked in on a four-year deal, while Akira has committed for another two.
Both will be with the Blues and both made the decision to be there after looking around New Zealand.
“It was pretty easy,” Rieko said. “I want to establish myself in New Zealand. I’m still a young fella so the black jersey is enough for me and it’s enough to keep me here. Rugby is what I love playing and to play in the best team in the world is motivating enough. Overseas didn’t come into the picture.
“It gives me enough time to establish my career and enough time to evaluate after that where I’m sitting and how everything is looking.”
The deal took longer to reach as NZR has historically not valued young players as highly as those with more experience.
But to commit for four years, Rieko needed remuneration that not only reflected his current standing in the world game, but likely future importance to the All Blacks as well.
WORLD CUP EXPANSION ON THE CARDS
World Rugby is giving serious consideration to increasing the number of teams at future World Cups, with the change possibly coming as early as 2023.
The 2019 World Cup will be unaffected and run with 20 teams, but the tournament in France four years later may have 24.
The desire to expand from 20 to 24 is being sold by World Rugby as a means of providing a greater number of emerging nations with a chance to play at the
