Digby Ioane

[gowallabiesgo]

I was talking about Digby in another thread, but it got lost quickly, and im interested to hear what you guys think, so I thought i should start a thread and a poll.

I think Digby Ioane was the Wallabies' best player against New Zealand and had a brilliant game against South Africa as well.
He has such amazing pace, the like of which we havent seen for a while. Remember those good old days with Lote Tuqiri, Lachie Turner, David Campese, Stephen Larkham and even Clyde Rathbone in their prime who could take on the line and score those amazing tries. We need more of that amazing speed and agility in the side...

I heard that Japan is trying to sign him (Digby Ioane)! The ARU had better secure this guy fast.

What do you all guys think!?? Is he worth signing up on a big contract now? Or is it too soon??

 

[Zeno]

It's been written a few times that Digby's goal is financial security for his family (parents and siblings). With a Super title bagged by the Reds and a World Cup campaign unfolding, his personal rugby ambitions are nearly all ticked off and he'll go where the money is after this year.

 

[barbarian]

Have never met him, but have heard from a few people that he is as thick as two short planks. His performance in press conferences and interviews seem to back that up.

Of course we should sign him, don't know what result you are expecting from that poll. He is in shit hot form and the ARU should throw bucketloads of cash at him. Sadly we don't have as much cash to throw as the Japanese do though.

 

[Ruggo]

I think we should put a fair offer at him that reflects his talent, then say take it or leave it.

 

[ripper868]

A fair offer for Digby - that'd be about 1.5mill per season wouldnt it?

 

[Jets]

gowallabiesgo I think we all want him to be signed by the ARU but not necessarily for the reasons you state. Digby isn't all that fast in a flat out foot race. His real skill is his speed in close as he steps around bigger bodies and his strength in contact where he will always make more ground that most expect.

I terms of his intellect while he isn't in line to be a Rhode Scholar he also isn't the dumbest rugby player I have met. He isn't a great public speaker and its something he would prefer not to do but it come with the territory (that is my opinion).

He also feels a responsibility to provide for his family and as such money is likely to be a big factor in where he goes. If he does chase the yen the I would have no issue with it and it would probably extend his career by a few years as well.

 

[antipodean]

He's already 26, with a history of injury. While he's in excellent form right now, do you want to be paying top dollar for a winger with one season of form? What if he suffers another injury and you've effectively reduced the ARU's ability to contract someone else? Or you end up with a Rodney So'oialo; big money for no game time?

 

[Braveheart.]

Whatever he chooses next year, like, it'll definitely be a challenge for the boys.

 

[bryce]

You're right. Wherever he plays I'm sure he'll be looking forward to the challenge.

Obviously I want him to stay. I'm already thinking about the Lions series

 

[Mr Doug]

For me, Digby's strength is his strength! His ability to break tackles or carry two or more tacklers with him is inspiring! Baring injury, he will be a "star" at the 2011 RWC!

 

[Groucho]

He's already 26, with a history of injury. While he's in excellent form right now, do you want to be paying top dollar for a winger with one season of form? What if he suffers another injury and you've effectively reduced the ARU's ability to contract someone else? Or you end up with a Rodney So'oialo; big money for no game time?

Three seasons of form. And he was better in 2010 than in 2011.

 

[Athilnaur]

Show Me the Money:
[video]http://youtu.be/UN_VwsV9rxE[/video]

 

[Scarfman]

Only a complete dickhead would miss out on the chance to play the B&I Lions. What do they teach kids these days?

 

[Nusadan]

With the AUD dropping against the Japanese Yen by around 12% in the past week, all the more the reason for Digby to go to Japan...(he'd better lock the contract forward at the present rate though!)

 

[EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7]

I can't help but feel we need to purchase or bring up some 6 foot 3 athletic wingers to make some hard yards and run through smaller opposite numbers.

 

[disco]

I think Digby should be in the higher level of player payments but I don't want to see another Lote Tuqiri/ Matt Giteau situation where the ARU is breaking the bank to keep him.

Would love to see him in Red & then Gold next year but if he goes chasing the yen I'm sure we'll have another player step up.