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| Josh Ioane’s Journey: Adapting to Irish Rugby | |
|---|---|
| Sections | Details |
| Introduction | |
| Adaptation to New Conditions | Josh Ioane, the New Zealand out-half, has realized that acclimating to Irish rugby, particularly the playing conditions in Galway, has been a significant challenge. |
| Contract Extension | After joining Connacht last summer on a one-year deal, Ioane signed another two-year extension last week. |
| Challenges Faced | |
| New Playing Surface | Connacht’s Dexcom Stadium is currently undergoing rebuilding, and Ioane has had to adapt to a new artificial playing surface. |
| Weather Conditions | The Atlantic gales sweeping across the Dexcom Stadium have given the 29-year-old a tough lesson in adjustment. |
| Performance Highlights | Despite the challenges, Ioane has scored 45 points in 10 appearances. However, he has struggled at times to judge the wind with his kicks. |
| Player Insights | |
| Initial Expectations | “It is a new way of playing. I probably underestimated that when I first got here,” Ioane admitted ahead of Saturday’s URC clash with Ospreys at 5:15 PM. |
| Learning Experience | “There has been plenty of good and plenty of work-ons as well.” |
| Adapting on the Run | “Especially playing here in Galway, it can be quite windy, and just the challenge of trying to adapt on the run, how we play, whether it’s putting the ball in behind instead of keeping the ball in hand and trying to attack space, stuff like that.” |
| Overall Satisfaction | “Overall, I’m pretty happy.” |
| Weather Impact | “When you are with the wind, it’s really easy and when you are into it, it’s really hard.” |
| Team Coordination | “Just being a bit smarter in those situations, trying to get the team out of trouble with the boot, I think I’ve had to adapt a bit more to that.” |
| Team Dynamics | “This is my first time playing with the boys and their first time playing with me, so I think we’ve built well and hopefully we’ll continue.”” |
| Timeline & Contract Extension | |
| Off the Pitch: A Personal Touch | |
| Family and Welcome | With a young family, including a baby boy born in Ireland a couple of months ago, it’s clear that the new deal is a testament to how welcome Ioane feels off the pitch. |
| Contract Happiness | “It’s very pleasing,” Ioane said of his new contract. “We came here from New Zealand, and our goal was to be here for longer than one year.” |
| Irish Experience | “My family and I enjoy it here. It’s a refreshing change from New Zealand, although the weather is quite similar. The people are really nice, and the environment is good.” |
| Next Insights: Opportunities and Transitions | |
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| McMillan Joins Munster | McMillan, Ioane’s former coach, will be joining Munster as their new coach. Ioane praises McMillan, emphasizing that he’s a stern, direct coach and a great fit for Munster and Irish rugby as a whole. |
| Upcoming Matches: Exciting Rugby Action | |
| Watch Glasgow v Munster in the URC on Friday from 7 PM on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player | |
| Watch a URC double-header, Bulls v Leinster and Ospreys v Connacht, on Saturday from 2.30 PM on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player | |
| Follow a live blog on Ireland v France in the Women’s Six Nations on Saturday from 1 PM on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, with second-half commentary also on RTÉ Radio 1 from 2 PM | |
| Watch Scotland v Wales in the Women’s Six Nations from 4.35 PM on RTÉ Player | |