The Plus500 Brumbies are pleased to announce Brumby 169 Rod Iona will officially join the club’s squad for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The playmaker made his debut for the Brumbies in 2014 against the NSW Waratahs and returned to Brumbies HQ in 2020 to train while helping to guide Tuggeranong Vikings to first place in the Callida Consulting John I Dent Cup.
Iona was also a mainstay in Manu Samoa’s side during their recent test campaign, the 30-year-old helping guide his national team to 2023 Rugby World Cup qualification.
Plus500 Brumbies playmaker, Rod Iona said: “I’m honoured to be joining the Brumbies squad again for next season.”
“Being around the group this year, wearing the colours everyday again, it just felt right so I’m just grateful and humbled to have earned this chance again with the Brumbies.
“I’m fortunate to have played rugby in France, England and at home but this has always been a special place to me and being back in the community, with my family at Vikings, it’s been amazing.
“We’ve got an outstanding group here, lots of young talent in the squad and I’ll play whatever role within that group that’s asked of me for the team.”
Iona’s experience in Australia and overseas will add to the Brumbies returning group of backs including current Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio and Irae Simone.
Plus500 Brumbies head coach, Dan McKellar said: “It’s fair to say everyone at the Brumbies is thrilled to see Rod back at the club for this season.”
“At the start of last preseason, I felt our young guys needed an experienced voice around them and Rod was available during that period but the way things happened, he stayed with us throughout the year, trained really well and made a positive contribution to the group.
“Rod’s an infectious character, someone who is always lifting spirits and putting arms around the shoulders of guys who need it, and that’s something that has real value for us.
“He’s an experienced player, knows our game from his time with us this year, he's been in great form for Vikings and was excellent for Samoa in their recent games so bringing him into the squad officially for the upcoming season will be great for us.“
