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Rieko Ioane faces pressure to elevate his game or risk missing crucial knockout matches for Leinster. The 88-time capped All Black, who joined Leinster this season, struggles to replicate the impact of Jordie Barrett, who impressed during his six-month sabbatical in Dublin. After a disappointing 38-17 loss to the Glasgow Warriors, concerns about Ioane’s form grow. Head coach Leo Cullen defends him, but Bernard Jackman notes Ioane’s performance has not matched expectations. “He’s done absolutely fine, but when you consider how precious those foreign player spots are for Leinster, he needs to shine,” Jackman states. The ex-Ireland hooker emphasizes that Ioane's talent has faded, raising doubts about his starting position in the knockout stages. Johne Murphy echoes these sentiments, questioning how Ioane fits into the system compared to Barrett's versatility.
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