Japan still in Ioane race
Wallaby and Reds wing Digby Ioane’s decision to delay a decision on his future has left the door open for Japan to lure him away from Australia.
Ioane said he will make a decision on whether he stays in Australia or signs with a club in Japan after the upcoming two-game tour to England and Wales.
The 26-year-old is weighing up a lucrative offer from Japanese club Kubota, which is reportedly worth AUS$1 million a season.
“It’s up in the air at the moment … it’s not all sorted yet and I’m going to leave it until I play these last two games in the UK and then I’ll put pen to paper when I come back,” Ioane told the Australian Associated Press.
Ioane’s decision to play for the Wallabies on the UK tour, which begins with a clash at Twickenham against the Barbarians on November 26, has sparked speculation the wing will knock back the Kubota offer, especially now the Japanese season is up and running.
But for now, Ioane just wants to focus on the clash with the Barbarians and then Wales in Cardiff on December 3.
“I always look forward to playing over there. It should be a good tour and I just want to go there and play some good rugby and make a call on everything else when I get back,” he said.
Ioane will be going up against one of his heroes, Welsh speedster Shane Williams, who will be making his final appearance for his country against the Wallabies in Cardiff on December 3.
“It’s a bit sad to see Shane retire, he’s been up there for a long time, he’s a legend,” Ioane told AAP.
“I was surprised how old he was … 34 … and to be still playing great rugby at World Cup level is pretty special, he’s certainly a player who motivates me and a player I look up to.
“Hopefully I can play in a World Cup when I’m 34.”
In 2009, Ioane, who is managed by his mother and sister, knocked back offers from Japan and Europe to sign a two-year deal with Queensland and Australia.
It was Wallabies coach Robbie Deans who played a major role in the re-signing, visiting Ioane’s mother and sister in Melbourne and presenting a big-picture view of the then 23-year-old’s career.
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has already stated that he is confident Ioane would stick with the Super Rugby champions.
“I’m not stressing about it,” McKenzie told AAP.
“It’s been trickling along for some time but I’ve been quietly confident the whole time so it’s not something I’m worried about.
“I’m sure he and his management team will sort it out eventually.”
