Digby baffled by Friend...
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Digby Ioane baffled by Brumbies decision to move Stirling Mortlock to wing
"Digby baffled by Friend is not such a barmy ploy", mudskipper...
QUEENSLAND dangerman Digby Ioane has questioned the Brumbies' wisdom in shunting Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock to the wing, depriving him of a benchmark outside centre battle.
Rising Wallaby winger Ioane was keyed up for a head-to-head midfield confrontation with Mortlock at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night in a major test of his development at No.13.
But Brumbies coach Andy Friend's decision to reshuffle his backline with centre Gene Fairbanks and fullback Mark Gerrard back from injury has left the Australian captain on the wing.
“That's a bit weird,” Ioane told AAP. “He's the best centre in the world, I don't know what he's doing on the wing.
“But even if he's on the wing he'll play well.”
Friend's faith in rookie playmaker Matt Toomua and Fairbanks return from a groin niggle at inside centre see Tyrone Smith move to outside centre where he'll mark Ioane, the Reds' tackle-shedding strike weapon.
Ironically, Ioane's hot Super 14 form at No.13 isn't expected to see him considered in the midfield for the Wallabies where Mortlock is likely to start ahead of Ryan Cross.
The 23-year-old Queenslander is challenging both Lote Tuqiri and Reds teammate Peter Hynes for starting berths on the wing where he played three Tests on last year's European tour.
Given opportunities ahead of Lachie Turner by Test coach Robbie Deans, Ioane credited Mortlock and Tuqiri's “inspirational” leadership with his ability to step up to the next level.
Despite Mortlock playing out of position, Friend believes the Brumbies backline will give a far better account of itself with Gerrard and Fairbanks back on deck and Patrick Phibbs at halfback after the 56-7 thrshing by the Hurricanes.
“We didn't function well as a backline and that experience will help us to perform against the Reds,” he said.
“Gene and Pat are both good organisers on the field and will help provide us with direction but it's a matter of matching up physically against what is a very competent Queensland pack.”
Phibbs won back the No.9 jersey from Josh Holmes at a crucial time as the Brumbies weigh up their halfback stocks as they also chase the Western Force's Josh Valentine.
Meantime, Friend confirmed he was keen to have Julian Huxley back in his squad next year pending a medical clearance following the former Wallabies utility back's brain surgery to remove a tumour.
Brumbies: Mark Gerrard; Stirling Mortlock, Tyrone Smith, Gene Fairbanks, Adam Ashley-Cooper; Matt Toomua, Patrick Phibbs; Stephen Hoiles (c), George Smith, Mitchell Chapman, Peter Kimlin, Ben Hand, Salesi Ma'afu, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Res: Huia Edmonds, Nic Henderson, Sitaleki Timani, Henry Vanderglas, Joshua Holmes, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Francis Fainifo.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html
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