World Rugby announced last week it was introducing a zero tolerance policy to reckless and accidental head contact in the sport.
The punishment for a high tackle is increasing and the acceptable height for a tackle has been lowered.
The rules were used in European rugby over the weekend and Ioane, who now plays for Sale in England, was given a yellow card in his side's European Champions Cup game.
Ioane was shown the yellow card with less than 15 minutes to go in the game when he tackled Sarachens lock George Kruis.
Sale was trailing 9-3 when Ioane had to leave the field and ended up losing 26-10.
Sale director of Rugby Steve Diamond hit out at the decision and what impact it is having the game, and told British media he was not sure where the game was heading.
''Everybody in the crowd is asking why has TJ Ioane got a yellow card,'' Diamond said.
''Every time I put the TV on at the minute there's a red card or two yellows.
''I wouldn't say it's going soft because everyone's physically bigger. But is it going to become touch rugby?
''We need new coaches to adapt to the lawmakers. We're given no time to implement techniques.
''The referees are left on the spot. They probably don't know what to do half the time.''
The new laws have been introduced after research showed that 76% of all head injuries occurred in tackles - an injury to the tackler was 2½ times more likely than the ball carrier, and tackle height was a contributing factor to head injury.
When Ioane was off the field, Sarachens scored two tries to pull away and win the game.
The laws will be introduced in New Zealand next year.
Ioane joined Sale in January last year and has just signed a three-year deal to stay at the club until 2019.
He played 18 games for the Highlanders in 2013-14 and 40 games for Otago from 2011 to 2014.
