It was perhaps a fitting end to the Josh Ioane-Highlanders relationship.
Ioane has been released from his contract a year early, allowing him to sign with the Chiefs for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific. He will slot in as a replacement for All Black utility Damian McKenzie, who is not returning to the Chiefs and was reported to have signed in Japan for next season.
The reason for the 26-year-old’s premature departure, and which side instigated the move, remains unclear.
However, the prospect of consistent time back in the No 10 jersey — which he has been deprived of at the Highlanders over the past two years — would seem the most likely.
Neither Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark nor Ioane could be reached for comment yesterday.
A two-line post on social media, in which the franchise revealed the news and wished Ioane the best, was all the Highlanders offered.
That was followed by yesterday’s announcement that cult figure Marty Banks (31) had signed for a third stint with the team.
In a statement released by the Chiefs, Ioane said the culture at the Chiefs was a lure, although he did not delve into the reasons for the early release from the Highlanders.
‘‘I’ve loved my time with the Highlanders and am grateful for everything they’ve done for me,’’ Ioane said.
‘‘However, I’m excited to link up with the Chiefs’ whanau. They’ve built an amazing culture up there from what I’ve heard and I admire what the Chiefs are about.
‘‘Hopefully I am able to add something to that environment.’’
Ioane joined the Highlanders in 2018 and played his way into the All Blacks as a first five in 2019, earning one test cap. However, he has since bounced around the backline, while injury and off-field incidents have also featured over the past two seasons.
Last year’s failed experiment to play him at second five, outside Mitch Hunt, lasted half a season.
A return to the No 10 jersey was stunted by hosting the notorious house party, after which he and five other players were dropped this year.
That opened the way for Hunt to take the No 10 jersey and cement himself as first-choice in that role.
Ioane has since been used both at fullback — where he started in the Super Rugby Transtasman final — and as impact off the bench.
Chiefs boss Michael Collins had no concerns over Ioane’s character, despite the house party incident, Stuff reported.
“No, we had a really deep dive into his character, and we have absolutely no concerns whatsoever,” he told Stuff.
“We have very standard processes that we go through when we recruit players, and followed the same process with Josh. He had one incident last [season], but that was last [season]. And we back our environment, we back our culture, and ultimately we back Josh’s character.”
Ioane remains contracted to Otago until the end of this year, although he left the field in the team’s first game of the NPC season with a head knock.
Otago chief executive Richard Kinley said contracting for next year would start soon for key players.
