With a career spanning more than a decade at the Blues and Auckland rugby franchise, and a total of 100+ Super Rugby matches for the club, Akira Ioane will be departing the Blues at the end of this year.
This means that their semi final match this Friday with the Brumbies might potentially be Akiras last match for the Blues at Eden Park. For teammate and captain Dalton Papali’i, Akira’s departure has been emotional for himself and his team.
“He’s my brother and we’ve been here together for so many years. A player like that, you know, he leaves a big legacy in the club” Papali’i said.
“He is one of those guys where new players come in and he’ll just put your arm around you and just look after you. As a young player you remember that, I definitely do especially when I was coming into the environment”
Head coach Vern Cotter says they will miss the presence Akira has in the side as a leader.
“Aki is a veteran of this team, a man of action and someone who commands respect from both his team mates and his opposition,” said Cotter.
“The boys know this could be the last time he runs out on Eden Park in a Blues jersey and we want to make sure we put in a performance worthy of the occasion,” he said.
The 28 year old will start against the Brumbies at blindside flanker alongside Papali’i and number eight Hoskins Sotutu.
Lock Sam Darry will also be in the starting lineup rep;acing the injured Sa’u Patrick Tuipulotu who has been sidelined with a knee injury.
“We don’t need to do anything drastically different just because we’re playing a Semi Final,” said Cotter.
“We know what’s served us well this season, strong ball carries, breakdown efficiency and astute decision making – nothing changes on Friday night”
