Montanna "Monty" Wilson Ioane, born on October 30, 1994, is an Australian-born Italian professional rugby union player. He primarily plays as a wing and currently represents Lyon in the Top 14 league. Ioane has also played for various clubs including Stade Français, Tasman, Bay of Plenty, and Benetton. He has also represented Italy at the international level, making his test debut against Wales in the Autumn Nations Cup.
Ioane was born in Melbourne, Australia, to a Samoan father and a Fijian mother. He initially did not enjoy playing rugby as a child but returned to the sport at the age of 12. At 16, he moved to Brisbane to attend Anglican Church Grammar School on a scholarship, where he further developed his rugby skills. His uncle, Digby Ioane, who played for the Queensland Reds, influenced his decision to pursue a career in rugby.
In 2013, at the age of 18, Ioane moved to Paris, France, to join Stade Français. He played for their U21 squad, the Espoirs, and gained valuable experience in the French Top 14 competition during the 2014-15 season. Ioane described his time at Stade Français as a learning process.
In 2015, Ioane moved to New Zealand after being recruited by the Chiefs in Super Rugby. He joined their developmental squad and played pre-season games against other teams. He also played for Tasman Mako in the second-tier Championship during the 2015 ITM Cup.
Subsequently, Ioane joined Bay of Plenty Steamers and played for them in the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup. His performances caught the attention of Benetton's sporting director, Antonio Pavanello, who signed him for the Italian side in November 2017. Ioane returned to Europe for the 2017-18 Pro14 season.
Ioane extended his contract with Benetton until 2022, making himself eligible for the Italian national team. He joined the Italian national team camp for the first time in July 2020 and made the Italy squad in December 2020. He continued to play for Benetton until September 2022.
Known for his attacking ability and defensive work, Ioane's playing style resembles that of his uncle Digby Ioane. He has made significant contributions to Benetton, scoring tries and helping the team reach the Mitre 10 Cup championship final. As of December 2019, he had made 35 appearances for Benetton and scored 75 points.
Ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023, Ioane has been named in the squad for Italy.
KG(24/06/2023)
Career
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Italy Right Wing |
2020 - present |
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Lyon Right Wing |
2023 - present |
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Stade Francais Right Wing |
|
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Tasman Mako Right Wing |
2015 - 2016 |
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Bay of Plenty Right Wing |
2016 - 2017 |
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Benetton Rugby Right Wing |
2017 - 2022 |
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Melbourne Rebels Left Wing |
2022 - 2024 |
