Blues contract

Rieko Ioane to stay on the wing for the Blues

Ioane became the All Blacks' first-choice winger after he supplanted Julian Savea ahead of last year's British and Irish Lions series and has amassed 22 tries in 21 tests.

Injuries to the Blues' playing stocks this season, however, forced Umaga to select him in the midfield for several games.

While the 21-year-old said several times over the last two years that he saw his long-term future in the midfield and that he "enjoyed everything about centre", Umaga said that he would remain on the wing next season.