Fit-again finisher Digby Ioane is eager to evaluate himself against the dominant Wings of the World Cup, aiming to score a game-changing try of his own in the intense quarter final on Sunday against South Africa.
The Wallaby, adorned with a tattoo of angelic wings on his muscular back, has been forced to watch more highlights of other wingers netting tries throughout the 40 pool matches than any frustrated footballer ought to, due to a lengthy three-week recovery from a fractured thumb.
The influence of the tournament’s leading wingers has been significant.
In a stunning display, showy Englishman Chris Ashton eliminated Scotland from the World Cup with a last-minute try in Auckland last weekend, placing him atop the World Cup’s try scoring list with six, just two shy of Jonah Lomu’s record set in 1999.
Prior to that, Argentine winger Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino dodged four Scots to clinch a 13-12 victory a week earlier. While Richard Kahui has performed exceptionally well for the All Blacks, Ioane, along with many reliable analysts, has his sights set on a 105kg 19-year-old Welshman.
“There are so many talented wingers out there scoring tries. That George North from Wales… excellent footwork, impressive size, an incredible player,” Ioane expressed.
“I’m just eager to get back out there. You want to measure yourself against the best in the world.”
In his lone World Cup appearance, Ioane delivered a brilliant, shifting try against Italy, but it is a crucial performance against the Springboks that could elevate his status.
Ioane hasn’t solely relied on luck for his recovery. He revealed yesterday that he arranged additional fitness sessions alongside halfback Will Genia.
“We call it secret training. Coming back sharp (after an injury) heavily relies on training because on game day, you have to leave no room for excuses,” Ioane stated.
“You don’t want to return home without anything to show for it.”
A grip-strengthening squeeze ball is a constant presence in his right hand. He will play a vital role as a key defender in the five-eighth channel come Sunday, but admitted that he would largely avoid tackling during training this week to “preserve it all for Sunday.”
Those who thought they spotted Ioane in Brisbane last Saturday night weren’t mistaken. He had returned to Brisbane to be the best man at his older brother Jason’s wedding.
Having secured the rare leave pass before the World Cup with coach Robbie Deans, when he returned to training last week and realized his thumb rehab was progressing well, he decided to keep the wedding date.
Cousin Ole Avei, a reserve forward for Samoa in the Cup, also attended the wedding and offered pertinent advice on overcoming the South Africans after the tough islanders narrowly lost 13-5.
“You’ve just got to toughen up. The Samoans played fantastically but didn’t win. Only one team can emerge victorious, and it usually hinges on mental strength,” Ioane remarked.
And of robust defense. And perhaps an electrifying run by Ioane in the midfield after a pass from Quade Cooper to reconnect him in discussion with the likes of Ashtons and Norths of the tournament.
by Buford Balony
