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Ioane just happy to play
Wednesday, 13 June 2007 @ 10:24 AM
sportal.com.au
Exciting Brumbies flyer Digby Ioane is desperate to get back on the field for Australia A against the Junior All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who recently made his Test debut for the Wallabies against Wales at Suncorp Stadium, is happy to be back in the Australia A program for now and is excited by the chance to do what he does best this weekend.
"It'll be good to get game time because I just want to play, and it's a good opportunity to get into it again," Ioane said.
Ioane lost his position in the Wallaby starting XV to veteran Lote Tuqiri, who made a stunning return against Fiji on Saturday night with a man-of-the-match performance.
"It's all about patience, I've got heaps of respect for Lote and he's an awesome player and a good player to look up to," Ioane said.
"He got his opportunity and he's playing well enough so I'm just looking forward to this week's game."
But while the Brumbies' speed merchant is willing to wait his turn, his sights are set firmly on the Wallabies for the future.
"I've learnt heaps from the experience of the Force and Wallabies, the whole thing has just been awesome, I'm grateful to be here and I'm still learning, I'm still young and I'd like to play the highest level I can," he said.
The laidback winger, who says he feels equally comfortable in the Wallabies, Australia A or Super 14 environment, possesses a refreshingly simple approach to his rugby.
"It's about just looking after yourself and good preparation, there's nothing to change you've just got to play your game and that's it," he said.
"I'm still doing the extras and doing the basics like catching balls and passing … it's all those little things that can cost you the game."
"Any game I play, you've got to perform every game but then I'm just taking it step by step."
The Australia A team to take on the Junior All Blacks will be announced on Wednesday.