Florence: In 2013, Wallabies star Digby Ioane dropped a bombshell by severing ties with the Queensland Reds after a bitter pay dispute.
“I believe in loyalty but there’s times when you can’t trust anyone,” Ioane said at the time.
There was no love lost, with Queensland Rugby Union boss Jim Carmichael firing back after Ioane decided against taking up the third-year option in his deal.
“I’m sick and tired of Digby Ioane threatening where he’s going to play next year,” Carmichael said. “The QRU will not be manipulated.”
There was, however, collateral damage.
As Ioane left in a huff for France, signing for Stade Francais, he told his 18-year-old nephew, who was in the Reds academy, he needed to pack his bags and come to Europe with him.
Italy rugby player Monty Ioane.Credit:Getty
That nephew, Monty Ioane, is set to play on the wing for Italy this weekend against the Wallabies.
“I almost didn’t have a say in leaving,” a relaxed Ioane, with plenty of tattoos just like his uncle, told the Herald this week in the foyer of his team’s Florence hotel.
“We took off and went to France. It was a little bit of a difficult two years for myself.”
The lesser-known Ioane has forged a very different path to his uncle, but there have been struggles along the way for the Melbourne-born speedster who after stints in France (Stade Francais), New Zealand (Bay of Plenty) and Italy (Benetton), will link up with the Melbourne Rebels next season.
“There was a lot of pressure put on me in terms of trying to live up to the hype of my uncle,” Ioane said. “He was a Wallabies star. That’s the reason why I left for Italy, to get away from that and make a name for myself.
“I was surprised I even made the Reds academy. I know I was only there because of my uncle. That’s how I felt.
“Man it was tough. Even now, people compare us. It goes in one ear, out the other. I don’t want to be compared to what he used to do. It’s nice being here and being my own person.”
The Ioane surname carries weight in Australian rugby but this Wallabies team is very wary of Monty, who scored two tries last weekend in Italy’s emphatic 49-17 win over Samoa.
Ioane beat seven defenders and churned out 119 metres in an eye-catching performance.
Ioane is also cousins with Wallabies back-rower Pete Samu.
“His grandad and my mum are related,” said Samu, who will wear the No.8 jersey against Italy. “I’ve known Monty since he was a baby.
“I’ll definitely try and stop him. He’s doing well. He plays a bit like his uncle, Digby. He’s very dangerous with ball in hand. He can pull anything off from anywhere, so we’ll have to try and shut down his time and space.”
Ioane added: “Pete and I lived together in Brisbane when I was boarding at Churchie.”
The 28-year-old lived with Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi, who was injured in last week’s match against France, while playing together in New Zealand. There were also schoolboy clashes against Andrew Kellaway.
Even Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has seen Ioane up close and personal.
“He was my coach back in New Zealand,” Ioane said. “I know how he forms his game plan. He’s a very intelligent man in terms of how he wants to play.
‘I just want to win’: Montanna Ioane.Credit:Getty
“[A few years ago] he never put anything out there about the Wallabies but he did say ‘would you be interested in coming back home to play rugby’? My family and I had settled in Italy and I was a couple of weeks off qualifying for Italy. I’d already made my decision … and I don’t regret it.”
If you think Ioane, still boasting a thick Aussie accent, is going to be overawed running out against Australia, think again.
“Nervous? Nah, not one bit. I just want to win,” said Ioane, who has played 15 Tests for Italy since debuting in 2020.
“I can’t really imagine playing against family members and against my home country. This week was a funny one. I don’t know who my family are going for. They were big Wallaby fans through Digby.”
Italy’s Monty Ioane during his side’s Six Nations win earlier this year. Credit:PA
Ioane says if Italy could beat Australia on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), it would go close to being the nation’s greatest rugby achievement. The Wallabies have never lost to Italy.
He vividly remembers the day earlier this year when Italy beat Wales in the Six Nations, sparking wild celebrations.
“I just started crying and we hadn’t even kicked the conversion yet,” Ioane said. “I was overwhelmed and started bawling. It was absolutely crazy. It’s given the boys a lot of confidence.
“Italian rugby has evolved so much … it used to be up the guts and bashing bodies. Now we’ve kind of gone away from that rugby and are playing a more expansive style of rugby. Almost like a Kiwi style.”
Who will Digby be supporting?
“I think he’ll definitely be supporting his nephew,” Samu said.
