Steve Hansen has challenged Rieko Ioane to put pressure back on the selectors as he fights for a place in the All Blacks starting XV.
Ioane has been named to start Wednesday’s clash with Canada in Oita, having seemingly been overtaken by rookies Sevu Reece and George Bridge.
Try-scoring machine Ioane was out of sorts for the Blues this season, and missed selection for the opening win over South Africa.
After naming his team for Wednesday’s clash, which sees Ioane and Jordie Barrett on the wings, Hansen urged patience with Ioane but said the ball was in his court to prove his case.
“He’s in a contest, isn’t he, against two other guys who are playing wonderful rugby,” Hansen said.
“We know that he also can play wonderful rugby. It’s important he comes out and plays well, he doesn’t get to caught up in that contest, he does the small things well, and the big things will come for him.
“Once he does that, which I’m sure he will, the pressure will come back onto the selectors to who we’ll have to pick.”
New Zealand and Canada kick-off at 11.15pm.
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