The Wallabies’ horror second Test build-up has sunk to new depths with a warrant issued for the arrest of star winger Digby Ioane.
Injury was added to insult for Ioane late on Monday as he was officially ruled out of the remaining two British and Irish Lions Tests with a shoulder problem that may require surgery while centre Pat McCabe (neck) won’t play for the rest of the series either.
Fullback Berrick Barnes (concussion) will also miss Saturday’s Test in Melbourne but will be considered for the Sydney fixture in a fortnight.
Ioane was with his Wallabies teammates at training on Monday but should have been at the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
A warrant was issued just after 4pm after the 35-Test flyer failed to appear to face an unlawful assault charge stemming from an incident in a Prahran pub on March 9.
Ioane wasn’t charged at the time, but was stood down by the Queensland Reds for one week after details emerged he and his older brother were involved in a scuffle reportedly over an iPhone at the Mount Erica Hotel.
The same weekend he was pictured with fellow Wallabies Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor and Quade Cooper, as well as AFL superstar Lance Franklin, sporting gangster poses in a rooftop spa.
Victorian police formally charged Ioane on summons on May 17, when the 27-year-old was on tour in South Africa with the Reds. He returned home with a knee injury three days later.
While the warrant took the Wallabies completely by surprise on Monday, it’s an unwanted distraction ahead of their must-win second Test.
Nursing his shoulder injury from the 23-21 first Test loss, Ioane was pictured joking with teammates at Carlton’s Visy Park before the matter was mentioned briefly in court at 1600 AEST.
In a statement, the Australian Rugby Union said they had “worked expeditiously” with Ioane and Victorian Police.
“Digby will report to Victorian Police and will be issued with a revised court date,” the statement read.
The end to the day was in contrast to the start when veteran flanker George Smith fronted the media to declare his fitness for a fairytale return to the Wallabies squad.
Smith starred as a 20-year-old in the last Lions tour here in 2001, playing a key role as Australia fought back from 1-0 down to claim an historic first series win.
If the 110-Test great is selected ahead of Liam Gill or Michael Hooper he will become the first player in the professional era to face the Lions in two separate Test series.
In more positive injury news, medical staff are confident centre Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder) and Christian Lealiifano (head knock) will be available for the second Test.
The Wallabies will still need a significant backline reshuffle for Melbourne and coach Robbie Deans may consider playing Kurtley Beale at five-eighth, moving Israel Folau to fullback and pushing James O’Connor out to the wing while the likes of Nick Cummins, Joe Tomane and Luke Morahan will come under consideration for the other vacant wing spot.
Rebel
Guest
Wishing injuries on players, classy.
niwdeyaj
Guest
are you kidding? JOC is right up there with Folau as two of the best back 3's we have in the country! can't believe how easily people forget that just because he had a woeful game at 10... I've been slating him as much as anyone for his performance last weekend, but I'd argue just as ferociously that he shouldn't be removed from the team altogether... play him at 11 and move Izzy to 15, Tomane or Morahan on the other wing, done.
niwdeyaj
Guest
2nd test of a Lions series is not the place to be testing theories on what you "honestly believe", particularly when we're 1-0 down. I think he'd be worth a shot on the wing (a position he's played all season) but throwing him in at 13 is something only Deans would be capable of... in fact, it would be a classic Deans move - rush him back from injury and play him out of position!
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
These injuries are an absolute blessing for the wallabies. All we need now is for Horne to roll his ankle and Dingo to lose his head and we'll be back in black black !
JamesBoags
Guest
Still more than K.Beale Mcabe and JOC and Barnes
JamesBoags
Guest
I fear K.Beale will be the same as JOC at 10. Again deans is playing a ball runner at 10 when he needs a playmaker. K.Beale didnt prove himself last year, just look at the games, he did exactly what JOC did on the weekend. ran when he should have passed and always ran sideways. For some reason, the australian media said that he plays well there and everyone just seems to go off that. why play someone out of position when he is clearly a great 15
JamesBoags
Guest
I fear K.Beale will be the same as JOC at 10. Again deans is playing a ball runner at 10 when he needs a playmaker. K.Beale didnt prove himself last year, just look at the games, he did exactly what JOC did on the weekend. ran when he should have passed and always ran sideways. For some reason, the australian media said that he plays well there and everyone just seems to go off that. why play someone out of position when he is clearly a great 15
Cranky Old Prop
Guest
JOC at fullback - you must be joking WB. The bloke's a total flake and imagine him as the last line of defence - no thanks.
Shop
Guest
Good point Justin, if the series is lost the Deans brigade will roll out the 453 injuries card and claim that the lack of depth is all the fault of Super rugby coaches.
mania
Guest
nah shop i was talking bout barnes but i was wrong. agree tho that barnes needs to think about early retirement for the sake of his long term health
Shop
Guest
Mania, I think you are talking about Lealifano. Still, Barnes needs to hang the boots up otherwise he'll end up a vegetable. He can be proud of his achievements but he needs to take a reality check.
Shop
Guest
Now all his poor selection options are injured doesn't mean he can't have guys playing out of position though. AAC at 10 maybe??? He seems to have played everywhere else.
Shop
Guest
I like the look of that backline. Deans is lucky Barnes and McCabe are out. He will be forced to pick a better backline because his favourites are out. He still might persist with JOC at 10 though....
mania
Guest
Maxt and Justin2 - ok i retract that. just watched it again and barnes was just unlucky
mania
Guest
the ABs
Maxt
Guest
What game where you watching mania?
mania
Guest
yes because white boots wouldve protected his head.
Justin2
Guest
What to tackle his own team mate? It was a loose ball, no Lion had the ball so a tackle wasn't forthcoming. Im not a Barnes fan but you are well off the mark, was just a freak accident. A least he was wearing white boots to keep his feet warm hey?
mania
Guest
if he'd been lower looking to go into the tackle his head wouldnt of been so high to get knocked. he was standing there being a spectator instead of preparing to into the tackle
Justin2
Guest
While this will be used as another excuse for Deans he actually has the chance to select a superior back line than the first test...