Teenager Rieko Ioane could join All Black greats

Rieko Ioane (Photosport)
Rieko Ioane (Photosport)

Rieko Ioane could join the likes of Jonah Lomu and John Kirwan as a teenage All Black in this weekend's second Bledisloe Cup Test.

Ioane's one of five faces brought into a very happy squad today as injury replacements.

Plenty of youngsters enjoy time with the All Blacks, but very few get to play for them.

Ioane, 19, could be one after Waisake Naholo's hamstring and Ryan Crotty's concussion mean he's been drafted into the squad alongside Damian McKenzie and Seta Tamanivalu.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was coy around Ioane being named in his 23 for Saturday's game, simply saying he wants to see how he shapes up in training.

Ioane returned to the 15-a-side form of the game with Auckland after being at the Rio Olympics with the men's rugby seven side.

After the disappointment of returning home without a medal, Ioane could be set for a quick comeback.

Newshub.