Digby Ioane: Enough said...
Australia flyer Digby Ioane is looking forward to launching his Test comeback against England's "pretty wingers" at Twickenham on Saturday.
Ioane will face Chris Ashton, who has returned to the England squad after missing the 54-12 Twickenham trouncing of Fiji last weekend through suspension.
The 27-year-old Ioane has missed the Wallabies' last two matches, including their crushing 33-6 defeat by France in Paris on Saturday, with a knee injury.
Ioane though expects to be fit to face England in this weekend's Cook Cup clash and is excited by the challenge.
"The England wingers are pretty, really good looking. I just can't wait to go against them," he said.
"I'm looking forward to this game because I want to redeem myself.
"In the last few matches I've been injured and have struggled. Now I'm fully fit and I've got to prove myself again."
Ashton sealed his place in Anglo-Australian rugby history two years ago with one of the most spectacular Test tries ever seen at Twickenham when he ran nearly the length of the field in a move that started from England's own line for a stunning score in England's 35-18 victory.
Ioane has yet to oppose the Saracens wing but has seen enough of the rugby league convert on YouTube to be impressed by Ashton.
"It will be really exciting and an honour to play against Ashton," Ioane said.
"I've never played against a winger like him so I'm looking forward to it.
"I hear he's coming back into his stride and is really respected over here. I've watched a lot of him on YouTube. There's a lot of clips on there of him scoring tries.
"I respect what he's done for his country and his league background. Normally in Australia any league players who join union end up going back to league.
"I find going from league to union is pretty hard, while it's pretty easy the other way around.
"I find league's not skilful, you've just got 13 guys and you have to run against them. Union is different, there's more to it."
Injuries have hampered the Wallabies in 2012, with their under-fire Kiwi coach Robbie Deans getting through 41 players in 12 Tests and naming four captains.
Meanwhile their last two Tests have seen Australia fail to score a try - something that last happened back in 1979 and an astonishing statistic for the Wallabies, renowned for their back play.
"It's frustrating, but you can't pull everything off in one day," said Ioane.
"Hopefully we can show on Saturday what we're capable of.
"We're not offering excuses, but we just haven't had our full team on the pitch.
"Losing games isn't a good feeling and it means you have to pick it up.
"But France played really well. Their scrums and offloads killed us.
"You think they're down in the tackle but then they get that second pass away. It's hard to defend against that sort of play."
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
Tut... Backs... Urgh...
I mean, what the point???
Posted 15:55 15th November 2012
Pearcewreck says...
@ Armchair General
Read the quote
He started by saying
" in Australia...."
Gather in close Armchair General... Let me fill you in on a secret that you obiously don't know yet......Jason Robinson was not based in Australia...His home country was England !! I know that is shocking, but it's true. He was, still is and always will be a Pom.
Also he is a truly great man, a champion in every sense of the word.
Posted 10:27 15th November 2012
colvin says...
The English wingers are pretty as should be all backs. But they don't compare to the All Black wingers, Savia, Hosea Gear, and Cory Jane. The AB wingers are the prettiest of all currently playing. Although pretty boy James O'Connor matches them when he plays wing.
But remember the 1959 Lions. They had Tony O'Reilly who was the prettiest of all. Remember the way he pranced around with his extra short shorts. The ladies loved him.
Posted 03:03 15th November 2012
Trinats2 says...
Digby is having a dig !! Pulling the wool over your eyes (whoops that might have excitied some, sorry about the reference to wool Kiwi's !!!) Digby is a typical Aussie larrikin.
If you saw the interview you would of seen him having a joke with TPN.
Posted 22:37 14th November 2012
Jediboy says...
macte - I hate to say it buti think your kids need a different role model.
Yes, in attack he's positive and can be successful.
However, in defence his attitude is poor, backed up by his recent ban. And I've seen him give up a few times where could have an effort in defence.
I hope when my kids are older, the look up to someone like Tom wood or Chris Robshaw. Players who give their all, all of the time.
Posted 19:13 14th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
As for the league converts; he's obviously too young to remember Jason Robinson.
Posted 19:07 14th November 2012
JayStarr says...
Ioane's pretty pretty himself innit !
@ heart_of_oak: It sounds like he's more into twinks, so I don't think he'll fancy Anne, who is clearly a bear...
I expect Australia to bounce back - they were pretty flat in that game. Ioane is one of the most dangerous wings in the world, so I'm sure he'll make an impact. Now if only Ashley-Cooper and Beale can come to the party they should score a try or two... Harris is a very accurate goal kicker, so if they can stay disciplined and put some pressure on England with ball in hand, they should get a few penalties too. Should be a much closer game than against the French.
Posted 19:03 14th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Yes. It's fun miss interpreting him but he's trying to niggle them for being soft and fancy. Sense they are trying to create a bit of niggle to upset things
Posted 18:55 14th November 2012
trelawney says...
APV1 - When has anybody seen a "pretty" rugby player? I don't think I ever have! Thanks for your very good post.
Posted 18:32 14th November 2012
kybone says...
When i first heard about these comments i thought he meant pretty as in they don't like getting stuck in to the physical side of the game, but he;s obviously just having a laugh with the interviewer. I agree with his opinion of league by the way!
Posted 17:35 14th November 2012
APV1 says...
@ heart_of_oak - I still haven't forgiven her for the way she treated me. Imagine launching a fully grown man clear across the bar?! And all I did was ask to see her... Best not repeat it, just in case she's reading this.
Posted 15:33 14th November 2012
heart_of_oak says...
If this guy fancies the England wingers then he has clearly not seen the very lovely Ann Widdecombe, she who can hold 5 pints o' mild while doing the can can in our club house at Roundhegians.
But Ann has a weakness for men with tatoos, so, for a fee, I could bring about an introduction.
Posted 14:46 14th November 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
"Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking."
A bit harsh here, the quote doesn't make any sense at all and sounds like someone looking for the right words to explain his respect for the opposition. Some hack somewhere has clearly thought it amusing to quote him verbatim when he played the recording back.
Surprised that the Aussie back room is letting these guys loose with the media
Posted 13:53 14th November 2012
APV1 says...
It appears Toby Flood has a good sense of humour:
Flood said: "I can see where Digby is coming from. He is from Wigan. It's the homeland of all supermodels."
"He will take it, but I think everyone realises he's probably not. He's got that see-through skin tone,".
"Is he talking about Charlie Sharples with his bean head or Chris Ashton with his see-through skin? I can see what he means about Ugo Monye, to be fair. He is an attractive man.
"The Aussies have got some lookers too. I have got my own scoring system, I will do it at home."
Posted 13:09 14th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Hopefully Ashton will blow him a kiss after scoring. I am very worried about the Ozzies on the rebound. I guess everyone looks pretty when you've just been dumped on and are desperate to score.
Posted 11:49 14th November 2012
APV1 says...
"We're not offering excuses, but we just haven't had our full team on the pitch."
Yes you have. Perhaps not your first choice, but you've always fielded a full team.
And it does sound a bit like you're offering excuses.
And for all those suggesting that Ashton's an ugly bugger (with whom I agree, btw), I can only surmise that you find Sharples a lot easier on the eye...
From my point of view, none of them are "pretty". Pretty darned good, but not pretty!
Posted 11:23 14th November 2012
macte says...
Ok, maybe Ashton has had better periods, but I always liked his running on the pitch looking for the ball, and not just expecting someone else to bring it to him.
My kids look up on him as the modern back with the the correct attitude: taking an active part in any action, even if the ball is going the other way.
Posted 10:56 14th November 2012
StunTheMullet says...
It all tends to go wrong when a lot of wind blows out of camp Dingo.
Posted 09:48 14th November 2012
sanka69 says...
@J_HDK Like that description of Ashton, mind you Sharples aint exactly an oil painting either!
Posted 09:08 14th November 2012
ChiefDC says...
Ashton looks like the mess my dog just left on the carpet.
Posted 09:01 14th November 2012