Wallabies general Will Genia believes there should be no doubt Test and Queensland team-mate Digby Ioane is the most dangerous winger in world rugby.
But in an ominous warning to Super Rugby and Test rivals, Ioane says there’s plenty of improvement left in his blockbusting game.
Not content to bask in the glory of a breakthrough 2011, the powerful 21-Test finisher said on Monday he was hungry to also become a smarter player as the Reds defend their Super Rugby title.
“I’ve got a lot to learn,” Ioane said. “I wouldn’t say I’m the best but I just love playing footy.
“Last year was the first time I had a full season without injuries.
“This year is another year and I can’t wait to come back into it.”
But Genia said post-World Cup assessments that judged Ioane the best winger in the game – ahead of the likes of England’s Chris Ashton and New Zealand’s Cory Jane – were on the money.
“Definitely, I would have to agree quite easily,” the halfback said.
“He’s great on his feet, he’s quick, he’s strong in contact and it was just good to see him play a full year of rugby last season.
“He’s very important for whatever side he plays for. He brings a lot to the game.”
Ioane and Genia were among a host of Wallabies who returned to pre-season training with the Reds on Monday and the winger wasted no time in making his mark.
Ioane produced the squad’s best beep test – posting 13.10 to break the marks of Liam Gill and Dom Shipperley.
While Queensland will miss Quade Cooper (knee) for the first six weeks of the season, Genia was confident they could overcome the loss of the mercurial playmaker with a more orthodox game plan.
Mike Harris, Jono Lance and Ben Lucas are the main challengers to wear the No.10 jersey as Queensland aims to become the fourth franchise to win back-to-back titles following the Blues (1996-97), Crusaders (1998-2000 and 2005-2006) and Bulls (2009-2010).
mattamkII
Guest
wow. Amazing how often we heard the old ''yeeeah brew, we got da beast playerz in awl da positions'' from kiwis....win a world cup and you make comments like your above. Just saying.
Geoff Brisbane now California
Guest
Digby is a great winger and one of the best in the world but certainly NOT the best in the world and leave it at that
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Kahui was a joke in the RWC in attack, except against the weakest teams. He is a centre, not a wing.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
if i had to pick 2 wingers right now to play in my team. Id have Digby on one wing and Kahui on the other. Just watch the tackle busts column explode.
Albo
Guest
Kids have gotta have their heroes OJ. There's no harm in touting the wares of the worlds better players. Creates genuine discussion and increases the intrigue of game day match-ups with the other best players. Digby worlds best? Maybe, maybe not. But certainly one of the most dangerous. There is no doubt there are those with a better all 'round game... but did the Don ever roll his arm over?
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, a centre that can't pass is kind of poor.
Jerry
Guest
Take it up with SANZAR - "The Reds are the reigning Super Rugby champions. They won the 2011 Final 18-13 against seven-time winners the Crusaders. It was their first Super Rugby title ". The official stance is that Super Rugby began in 1996. http://www.superrugby.com/Teams/TeamProfile/tabid/1358/Teamid/8/Default.aspx Whereas the IRB obviously does recognise the 87, 91 and 95 RWC tournaments.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
What's this obsession with being the best in the world at everything. Shut up and win.
mattamkII
Guest
Look, no doubt ashton is the best FINISHER in the world. I just dont think that in the modern game its all about finishing. Given the wide band of players that score tries these days and better defense often tries are scored off the wingers shoulder.
rl
Guest
Gold! Nice comment.
rl
Guest
Riiiiight...
Kane
Guest
Not sure why you disregard Italy they are a Tier 1 nation?
rl
Guest
Those sure are pretty stats... but let's take Chris Ashton: 4 tries against Italy, 3 tries against Romania and 2 tries against Georgia. Take those out and then he's got 3 tries in 8 matches, for a strike rate of 37.5%. Whipping out those sort of stats is a bit like saying Matty Hayden's 380 against Zim makes him better than Bradman. What about the other things Diggers brings every time he walks on? Contested metres gained, tackles made (dominant and other), the number of times the opposition has to commit additional defenders freeing up space elsewhere. Diggers best in the world? Maybe not, but I'll keep him thanks.
Johnny-boy
Guest
Jane was actually very lucky to make the team on form ....
Johnny-boy
Guest
Not if we had a decent coach
peterlala
Guest
DI is a great winger, but not the best in the world. He is one-dimensional. But as Angus Young from AC-DC said, when accused of having only one riff, "Yea, but it's a great riff."
DC
Guest
Digby is a brilliant runner and swerves brilliantly but I think his passing, defense and sleight of hand needs to improve. I would therefore not rate him the worlds best winger. I think that title is up for grabs this year. I mark Ashton down for his defensive miss vs France in the RWC. I am a Kiwi so obviously rate Dagg and Jane ...
peterlala
Guest
Hoy, that's a good point. DI seems to be a real team man. He seems to be someone who comes ready to contribute, rather that being someone who needs counselling.
mattamkII
Guest
Kane, whats you're problem with digby? Scanning through here I dont think many people outside the article itself says they think he's the best in the world.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Along with Rene Ranger, yes. There aren't that many great wings in world rugby compared to a decade ago.