Ioane was signed to the
Highlanders for the
2018 Super Rugby season, having played well in his first season for Otago. After the departure of established All Black
Lima Sopoaga from the Highlanders, Ioane became a regular starter for the team during the
2019 Super Rugby season, despite the presence of experienced first-five-eighth,
Marty Banks. Ioane was one of the highest points-scorers of the season, with 114 points in the competition. On 2 July 2019, Ioane was named by head coach
Steve Hansen as one of four uncapped players in New Zealand's All Blacks squad for the
2019 Rugby Championship, with utility back
Damian McKenzie ruled out for the rest of the year due to a torn ACL. Although named to replace All Black vice-captain
Beauden Barrett off the bench against Argentina, Ioane was not brought on to the field, with New Zealand scraping by, winning 20–16. Having not played any tests during the Rugby Championship, Ioane was left uncapped after the outstanding form of Barrett, as well as
Richie Mo'unga. When New Zealand named their squad for the
2019 Rugby World Cup, Ioane was controversially axed, with selectors preferring to take only two first-five-eighths, with Ioane's inexperience deemed to be a risk. Ioane made his international debut for New Zealand against Tonga on 7 September 2019, having been re-called to prevent injury to Richie Mo'unga. Ioane replaced Beauden Barrett at half-time, scoring 8 points on debut. Ioane's contributions brought New Zealand's points tally to a 92–7 win. On 31 August 2021, Ioane was signed to the
Chiefs for the
2022 Super Rugby Pacific season. On 10 July 2024, Ioane agrees a move to Ireland to join province
Connacht on a one-year contract for the 2024–25 season. It was renewed for a further year for the 2025-26 season. == References ==