DIGBY IOANE SIGNS TO THE CRUSADERS
The BNZ Crusaders have confirmed former Wallaby, Digby Ioane, has signed a 2 year contract with them & moves to join the squad next year.
Ioane who is of Samoan descent currently plays for the Honda Heat in the Japanese Top League. He has previously played for the Western Force & Queensland Reds in Australia and represented Australia playing for the Wallabys between 2007 - 2013. He then moved to Paris where he was signed to Stade Francais in the French domestic competition.
Ioane stated earlier about his signing “I have had a great time playing in France and Japan, but the opportunity to be part of a New Zealand Super Rugby team is too good to pass up. I love the intensity and tempo of Super Rugby and the New Zealand teams are leading the charge in that respect at the moment, so I can’t wait to be a part of that. I have a huge respect for the Crusaders, having faced them as the opposition team on a number of occasions, and I am honoured to be linked with such a quality team. I would like to thank my manager Michael Hobbs and Robbie Deans for their support in making this happen”
2017 BNZ Crusaders Coach Scott Robertson said Ioane was a key signing for the team: “Digby is a massive talent, who we believe still has plenty of top class playing years left in him despite his experience. He has played 35 tests for the Wallabies and has created some of the most memorable moments in Super Rugby while he was playing there"
Source: BNZ Crusaders
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