News

Ioane weighing up future at Reds

July 30 2009

With the dust still in mid-air following Berrick Barnes' exit to the Waratahs, Queensland Reds are now sweating over the future of Digby Ioane.

The powerful winger was poised to extend his stay in Brisbane, but with his former team-mate's decision and also the departure of CEO Ken Freer dominating the headlines, Ioane admits he is now in limbo.

While still hungry to push the Reds into the right direction, the 24-year-old revealed that Barnes' decision shocked him to the core as he continues his contract negotiations.

"I said to the Reds that I would stay but there's been a big pause in the middle (of the contract process) before Berrick going," he said, speaking to AAP.

"I want to make the right decision for my future. That's the hard thing now that Berrick has gone.

"I just have to do what's the best thing for my rugby. I thought Berrick was going to stay but I guess he wasn't happy.

"I just need a bit of time to think over the whole thing."

Meanwhile, QRU Chairman Peter Lewis has rubbished rumours that former CEO Freer had been sacked and also denied talk that Jeff Miller and Tim Horan were being viewed as replacements.

"Ken took this decision months ago and by agreement we wouldn't say anything until the season was well and truly over and the review was over," Lewis explained.

"There was absolutely no rush, he's kindly agreed to stay on. We're not sacking him, we're not rushing him out the door.

"He just feels it's time to move on."