Ten For TOA Part 1: Digby Ioane

on Jul 09 in News, Ten For TOA, TOA Dubai tagged by

2011 IS FAST BECOMING THE YEAR OF THE RATT

Digby Ioane made his Super Rugby debut with the Western Force, playing 20 games in Perth before joining the Reds in 2008. By that time he had graduated to the Test arena with a debut for the Wallabies against Wales, and a debut try, coming in June 2007. Born in Wellington NZ, he was raised in Melbourne before attending school in Brisbane. His Test career has been blighted by injury, including a shoulder reconstruction in 2009 and a dislocation in 2010, but on his day he remains one of the game’s most powerful broken field runners – at wing or outside-centre. Digby, Diggers or Ratt as he is affectionately known to those that know him is a good friend of TOA and it’s an honour to have him as the inaugural TEN-4-TOA interview.

THE FIRST 5

TOA – Digby, thanks for talking to TOA brother. And thanks for being the first TEN-4-TOA interview.
DI – No worries Champ, it’s great to be able to this for all the TOA supporters out there.

Q1
TOA – First thing congratulations to you and the Reds on making the Super Rugby final this weekend. The Reds have definitely been the form team throughout this season’s competition. What do you think is the major factor that has contributed to this?

DI – The team has been really close this season. We operate like and family and I think that has been a massive factor in our success. Also, it helps with so much depth from the young boys in the team.

Q2
TOA – Bro, your own form has been nothing short of sublime and without doubt you are senior player in a potent back division. You’re a prolific try scorer and your runs on the left side normally end up with a try or at worst, a try on the right side. With this in mind, is it hard not to think ahead towards the Rugby World Cup given you are the form Australian winger? That has to be on the radar right?

DI – It is every player’s goal and of course a goal of mine to play for Australia in the 2011 Rugby World Cup however my main focus is on the tasks right in front of me. For now I am putting everything into Reds Rugby and hopefully we will see the rewards after the weekend.

Q3
TOA – You were the first person of Samoan descent to represent the Wallabies at test level, were there any ambitions to represent either New Zealand (country of birth) or Samoa (country of parents birth) or was it always going to be Australia?

DI – Being raised in Melbourne and starting my professional career in Brisbane with the QLD Reds has cemented my loyalty to play for Australia.

Q4
TOA – Quade Cooper has been a revelation this season. It is said that for a team to be successful in Super Rugby they must have a strong 10 hence why the Blues (Stephen Brett) and the Stormers (Peter Grant) were never going to win last week. How much confidence do the boys take out of knowing Quade is there pulling the strings and do you think he has earned the right to oust Dan Carter as the number 1 playmaker in world rugby?

DI – It is definitely helpful to play in a backline where Quade is constantly creating attacking opportunities. Good support players are very important around Quade as Ben Tapuia showed us against the Blues. Carter is a world class player and has led his team to a Super Rugby final yet again so I think his form can’t be denied just yet

Q5
TOA – Like most Samoans you’re big on tattoos but unlike most Samoans you’re tattoos differ to that of the normal tribal/family symbolism. Why is this and what are the meanings behind your tats?
DI – My tattoos are generally based on my own religious beliefs and family.

THE QUICK 5

Blondes or Brunettes? –BRUNETTES PLEASE

Who were your heroes when you were a kid and why? – Michael Jordan (Basketball legend) because he followed his dream regardless of his circumstances. Also Superman.

Any pre match superstitions? – Prayer

Most respected opponent and why? – Blues & All Black winger Joe Rokocoko because he’s a world class player that’s proven himself at the highest level for a long time.

And finally, your thoughts on TOA for next season?

I think if TOA get fitter they will definitely threaten the likes of the Dubai Dragons and the Dubai Hurricanes as from what I understand the boys don’t have an issue scoring tries but at the back end of games tend to let a few in. I like the look of the midfield (Paul Austin & Rama Chand) but again, fitness is the key for any team to complete the full 80.

Show your support for Digby by liking his fan page: Digby’s Fan Page

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