Reds confident of keeping Digby

[travelling_gerry]

Jim Morton, AAP
August 19, 2011, 2:43 pm


AP © Enlarge photo
The triumphant Queensland Reds are confident of keeping Wallabies strike weapon Digby Ioane in Australia next season.

Coach Ewen McKenzie will unveil his 30-man Queensland squad for 2012 on Saturday night at the Super Rugby champions' gala awards dinner with Ioane likely to be included despite not yet being contracted.

It's been reported the 15-Test flyer, currently the most destructive finisher in the game, has given a verbal agreement to take up a $1 million a season offer in Japan after the World Cup.

But Ioane has consistently denied he had decided on his future and would wait until after the tournament ends in New Zealand.

Queensland are optimistic of keeping the 26-year-old, with McKenzie continuing discussions throughout the international season.

"It's been ongoing and I believe we're getting closer to a resolution and we've remained positive throughout," he told AAP.

"I don't think we're far away at all."

There are also question marks over another Test winger in Peter Hynes, whose career hangs in the balance after undergoing complicated knee surgery last week.

Hynes was the Wallabies rookie of the year in 2008 and was a stand-out for the Reds at fullback last year but has been grounded by knee injuries over the past 12 months.

Queensland have done well to keep the large majority of their young, successful squad together.

Fringe players Will Chambers, Leroy Houston, Ian Prior and Kimami Sitauti have been released or signed elsewhere while utility back Jono Lance and lock David McDuling are among the new contracted players.


http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...keeping-digby/

[palitu]

he always seems to have these verbal agreements doesn't he...

[GIGS20]

he always seems to have these verbal agreements doesn't he...

Lol

[Fullback]

I wonder how that Japanese club will react to a "I'm leaving because I'm home sick" excuse?

Maybe its Ioane's way of trying to up his contract $$ at the Reds.

[BDAVEY]

Will CHAMBERS WOULD BE HANDY HERE IN THE WEST?

[Tazzmania]

Looks like Digby is not a man of his words, again he has renaged on a verbal agreement to a club.

"..... The destructive world-class winger reportedly gave the club, which is home to former teammate and friend Hugh McMeniman, a verbal agreement he would sign a million-dollar-a-season contract..."

The West article

Very dissapointing Digby, do not make verbal agreements if you are not going to keep them, where is the integrity? Bit us once now its someone else's turn

[beige]

I wonder how that Japanese club will react to a "I'm leaving because I'm home sick" excuse?

I remember hearing someone say that in Japan he trusted handshake agreements more than written contracts, so they might not react well

[Tazzmania]

Appears that his word is not worth a million dollars plus

Yet poor me and I am sure millions of others have to take a lotto ticket to find the powerball, he accepts it and chucks it back.

[Burgs]

If you haven't got your handshake you have nothing.

[mudskipper]

if nothing signed, there is no contract... even some contracts aren't fulfilled at some provinces...

[slomo]

if nothing signed, there is no contract... even some contracts aren't fulfilled at some provinces...

John Mitchell, leaving a year before his contract expired???....

[travelling_gerry]

Andy Friend.

[James]

It doesn't reflect well on Digby.

I don't mind that he broke his word with us back in 2007 but the fact that it meant losing Brett Stapleton too (to Australian Rugby not just the Force- he's wasting his time in Japan these days) because we thought Digby was on board is very annoying.

[hertryk]

John Mitchell, leaving a year before his contract expired???....

Would you have stayed under the conditions he was under...

[slomo]

Would you have stayed under the conditions he was under...

The point I was trying to make that it happens in all provinces not just the act!!!!.....anyway, I didn't sign the contract, mitch did!!... Jm leaving happened at the right time, onwards and upwards with richard graham....
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