ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
RIEKO’S RIDDLE
Crusaders fan Jake Hines, 28, says he’s “pretty sure the boys will get it done at home,” but admits he’s deeply unsettled by the prospect of what Rieko Ioane might post on Instagram should the Blues knock the defending champs out of the semi-finals.
“Look, I back our culture, I back our 30-0 home record in playoff matches at home” he said, dressed in a Crusaders jersey.
“But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified of seeing another one of Rieko’s Joker posts with cryptic captions if we somehow lose to them.”
Ioane has developed a reputation online for playing the villain, which kicked off last year when he launched a subtle but pointed Instagram spat aimed at Irish great Johnny Sexton, not long after the launch of Sexton’s autobiography.
Since then, Ioane has taken to the platform regularly to stir the pot — particularly during the Blues’ late-season resurgence. After last weekend’s upset win over the Chiefs in Hamilton, Ioane posted an Instagram story reading:
“Should’ve killed me when you had the chance. 2 to get.”, followed by a joker emoji.
When Jake was asked if he would take a narrow, scrappy win just to avoid the risk of Ioane’s post-match monologue, Hines answered instantly:
“Yes. 6–3. A penalty in the 78th minute. I don’t care if it rains sideways the whole game. Just enough to keep Rieko quiet for 48 hours. That’s all I ask.”
More to come.
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