Ex-Wallabies star’s ‘we needed that’ verdict on Springboks win that proved ‘rugby is still rising’ in Australia ahead of 2027 World Cup
The Wallabies celebrate after their win against the Springboks in Perth and ex-Australia wing Digby Ioane (inset).
Former Wallabies flyer Digby Ioane has highlighted the importance of his country’s recent triumph over the Springboks for rugby union’s growth in Australia.
Despite being reduced to 11 players during the one-off Test’s latter stages – after Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Hunter Paisami received yellow cards – the Wallabies delivered an outstanding all-round performance en route to a 42-38 victory over the world champions at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Delighted with Wallabies win on huge sporting weekend in Australia
Ioane, who represented the Wallabies in 35 Tests between 2007 and 2013 and won a Super Rugby title with the Reds in 2011, couldn’t hide his delight with his country’s win over the Springboks and revealed that it was a great result in the grander scheme of things for rugby union during a huge sporting weekend in Australia.
“Well, on Saturday, it was league, the semi-finals, and then the AFL (grand final). I don’t know if you guys heard of it,” he told the Behind the Ruck podcast.
“And then on Sunday, it just topped it up with the win (for the Wallabies). So, it was a real bonus for each code to see where we are with rugby. So, it boosted (rugby union), you guys coming over to challenge us.
“It actually boosted the actual sport itself. So, that’s what I’m real proud of. Two teams going at it, but we definitely needed that win before the World Cup next year.
“So, it’s a good warm-up leading up to next year.”
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Optimistic ahead of 2027 Rugby World Cup
Rugby union has not been a high-profile sport in Australia in recent years and Ioane is hoping that the Wallabies’ victory against the Boks augurs well for their chances at the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
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“That win on the weekend, (shows) rugby is still alive in Australia because we’re competing against different sports,” explained the 41-year-old.
“It’s not just rugby. There’s NRL, there’s AFL. A lot of these schoolboys through the grassroots, they go into these sports, but for us, we needed that.
“We actually needed that win to prove to people, ‘no, rugby is still rising’.
“We haven’t peaked yet, but hopefully next year, we’ll make a difference when it comes to the main stage.”