Digby Ioane’s renowned recuperative powers have worked wonders again for the tackle-shedding winger to deliver the Wallabies a major boost for Saturday night’s first Test against the British and Irish Lions.
Ioane was in severe doubt just last week as he struggled to return to full training after undergoing knee surgery to clean up damaged cartilage late last month.
But the 34-Test flyer is now fully confident of playing to his capacity after taking full part in team sessions on Friday and Monday.
Ioane on Tuesday morning reported he’d ticked all the boxes and his knee would stand up to the rigours of an intense battle in front of a sell-out crowd of 52,500 at Suncorp Stadium.
“It’s feeling good, I’ll be ready for this weekend,” he said.
“I just had to do the little things first to get it right but now I’m right to go.
“All I have to do is just get picked for this weekend.”
Coach Robbie Deans is certain to select a fit Ioane on the left wing with Israel Folau to make his Test debut on the right.
The 27-year-old, who will join French club Stade Francais on a $2 million-plus two-year deal at the end of the year, admitted he was frustrated and worried after being booked in for the arthroscopy four weeks ago.
But the world-class Ioane dismissed any fears he would struggle to hit the ground running against the big Lions backline on Saturday night.
“I’ve been in this situation before against the All Blacks – I think it was in 2010 when I did my shoulder,” the Queensland Reds winger said.
“I didn’t play a game all year and that was my first game so I’m not too worried about it.”
atlas
Guest
trying to build your paranoia? not the ones I know - dead opposite
Kane
Guest
Those are his only three tries in his last 20 tests for the Wallabies, not really best in the world material
GWS
Guest
Dunno bout short but definitely blind
Al
Guest
@kingplaymaker I would like to believe that JOC is more talented than Sexton, but in the role of fly half number 10 how can anyone claim that! JOC hasn't played there more than a handful of toimes at most generous - and when I saw him against the Reds he was AWOL. Sexton has impressed every game on tour he will slice nd dice JOC unless the Defence gets in his face. But no one has done that really on tour.
Jerry
Guest
According to Scrum.com he scored two tries last year - one in each of the matches vs the Pumas. Prior to those, his most recent try for the Wallabies was in the RWC opener against Italy. To be fair, he would have scored a try in the RWC semi against 99 out of 100 defenders, but Jerome Kaino's tackle was something special.
expathack
Guest
You don't need the "best sports scientists", the guys that do this kind of thing are, by definition, cowboys that operate outside standard practices.
expathack
Guest
I was thinking the exact same thing. Recovery times nowadays are ridiculous. Maybe recovery techniques are just that much better? And on the otherside, North looks to have gone from being unable to run to Test-match ready in the space of a week. Even minor hamstring strains used to take at least 3 or 4 weeks before they were fully functional again, i.e. up to the rigiours of a Test match rather than just being able to do a bit of controlled running in a straight line
Reginald Munday
Guest
Tuilagi wouldn't make the starting lineup even if he was fit. That's because Gatland can correctly identify talent.
The Other Steve
Guest
yep - having talent in the backline is all very well, but if your forwards are being bashed backwards and you lose every second lineout or scrum, there is not a lot of frontfoot ball to unleash the magic that the rugby writers seem to believe exists in the Wallaby backs. Heaven help the Wallabies if there is a heavy drizzle of rain on Saturday night. I wish the Wallbies well, I really do, but I have seen this over-egged build-up of Wallabies far too often and the eventual performance delivered is disappointingly far from the promise. At least I'm not a Waratah's supporter as well. I would be doubly cynical.
Short-Blind
Guest
Totally agree although Betham is better than both
The Other Steve
Guest
Just a polite and non-inflamatory question - when did Digby last score a try for the Wallabies?
bigbaz
Guest
ha ha
Tarragon Fields
Guest
Despite that, the try was well deserved.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
That was in Tokyo and was only a three point half time lead thanks to one of the most dubiously awarded tries I can remember seeing. The TMO couldn't speak English and Lawrence got so fed up he awarded the try despite Hynes being short of the line.
DJW
Guest
Was in response to KPM.
formeropenside
Guest
...but both will have time for a lap of honour before Tom Carter gets to the finish line
Aussie Mate
Guest
I am sure Kiwis will be cheering for Lions the whole series....as their Moto goes "Anyone but Australia"...Some may be flying over from New Zealand and will be wearing Red in the Crowd shouting "Li-ons....Li-ons"...remember RWC 2011...
hammertime
Guest
I think either Barnes or LLF will need to be on the ground at all times. Given 1/2 P's kicking stats it will be imperative that we get points from penalties as well. I would suggest LLF and Beale to start with Barnes to replace either should anything go wrong.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah I could live with it too. Ball players and runners. And they can all kick apart from Digby.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Absolutely spot on. The pack really have step up, play as a unit and support in numbers.