Ioane crowned Reds' best
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:16
Powerful Reds outside centre Digby Ioane has won the prestigious Pilecki Medal for his standout performances for the Reds during the 2009 Super 14 season.
Despite missing the last two games of the Super 14 season, Ioane amassed 253 votes in the annual Players’ Player award, named in honour of legendary Queensland prop Stan Pilecki, to become the 13th winner of the Medal since its introduction in 1992.
Ioane, 23, started the season on the wing but proved a sensation at outside centre when Coach Phil Mooney made the switch during the Reds tour of South Africa.
Ioane was considered a certain selection for the Wallabies until a shoulder reconstruction forced a premature end to his Super 14 season.
Flank Hugh McMeniman finished runner up to Ioane on 231 votes, with early season captain Berrick Barnes third with 122 votes.
The Pilecki Medal vote was announced at last night’s Reds Gala in Brisbane, where Ioane also received the Hardest Trainer award and 23-year old tighthead prop Laurie Weeks was named Rookie of the Year.
Weeks, who was also Rookie of the Year in the Australian Super 14 awards, made his debut off the bench behind Dayna Edwards in the opening round against the Bulls in South Africa and played every game of the year, starting in all but two of the 13 matches.
Queensland coach Phil Mooney said it was no surprise that Ioane won both the Pilecki medal and Hardest Trainer award – the same double claimed by former Reds flank David Croft in 2008
"Like Crofty, Digby’s success on the field is a product of the amount of hard work he does off it," Mooney said.
"Digby is a gifted athlete but he also works extremely hard on improving every facet of his game. That’s why he’s successful and why his best years are still ahead of him."
While McMeniman will head overseas in 2010, Ioane and Barnes are currently finalising their contract negotiations with the Wallabies and Reds.
"We are confident both are on track to re-sign until the next Rugby World Cup," Mooney said.
Ioane won votes in all 11 matches he played during 2009, getting out of the blocks quickly with an imposing 57 votes in the round one match against the Bulls in Pretoria and later being voted best on ground in matches against the Cheetahs and Western Force.
McMeniman began to bridge the gap in rounds four and five against the Waratahs and Sharks, but Ioane responded with a strong game against the Chiefs, before his notable effort against the Force in a losing team extended his lead.
Ioane and McMeniman continued their dominance during the middle stages of the season and were well supported by marquee recruit Daniel Braid, young loosehead Ben Daley and newly announced Wallaby squad member Will Genia, each of whom was voted the Reds’ best on field in various games this year.
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