Former Wallaby Digby Ioane has engaged in a war of words with a follower on social media after being accused of womanising, smoking and using drugs while posing as a public figure in Samoa.
Ioane was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and moved to Melbourne with his family when he was two years old, but he has Samoan heritage through his family.
He had a decorated rugby career, playing 35 Tests for Australia and finishing up in the Super Rugby Americas competition after stints with Queensland, Western Force and the Crusaders.
Since retiring from the sport in 2020 after failing to take to the field with the Colorado Raptors, Ioane has moved to Samoa to help support his family.
On social media, he shares regular images and videos visiting his mother, uncle, grandfather and other family members – often with gifts and money for them.
Ioane has also shared recent images showing him looking loved-up with an unnamed woman.
Former Wallabies star Digby Ioane (right) now resides in Samoa and has become embroiled in a war of words with a follower who made stunning accusations about his behaviour
Ioane (pictured with an unnamed woman on his social media) has lashed out after being accused of doing drugs and womanising
The former Wallabies star shared the allegations (pictured) to his profile and offered to meet the person who posted them
However, a follower named Josefa Savele has claimed it is all a front and called the former rugby player out on Instagram.
‘Bro, this guy is so lost ever since rugby. This is like the 10th chick he’s dated, can’t even marry,’ Savele posted with a laughing emoji.
‘Set a foundation to make his parents proud, just smoking and dancing around like a 20 yr old. Can’t believe we all use to look up to this bloke.’
Ioane shared the message to his own Instagram and pinned it along with the reply ‘See you in Samoa uso [brother]’ and emojis showing a camera flashing.
Ioane also posted it to his story with an additional caption reading: ‘This is our own people Samoa an [sic] it mother’s day.’
That got the attention of Savele, who fired back in the comments section.
‘Bruh you wanna post my comments, ask the women how you treat them g? I don’t have to have a fat ego to post all things I do for my family.
‘You use drugs, you prance around at nearly 40 with nothing to show but dreads and damaged women.
Ioane is pictured with his mother Sia, who he refers to as his Queen. In 2012, he got a tattoo of her as a surprise tribute
Ioane was bestowed the prestigious Tuala matai (chiefly) title from his mother’s side in June 2023
‘The only woman you seem to show respect to is your mum yet your relationships pose otherwise? This is the truth, deal with it.’
Ioane responded again, asking: ‘Does anyone know this guy family? My Queen wants to know’.
Savele also questioned Ioane on why he used the camera emoji, asking why their interactions should be filmed if they met.
‘Do we have to film what we do? g I go back to Samoa. This pretenders only been for Samoa in the last 5 years of his life,’ Savele posted.
‘Didn’t do s*** his whole rugby career to go visit or see Samoa. Fake a**, and I want all the women he’s been involved with to tell us how great he is, see how mainly men are telling us in the comments, cause he’s f***ed to women.
‘Where’s the kids he takes care of since he’s such a good man? oh wait, I’m sure we have to blame the women aye? F*** up.’
The former Wallaby also shared another post featuring an attack on him.
Ioane posted this image with his son Lenny, saying he had not seen him in five years
Ioane played 35 Tests for Australia and had a decorated career playing in both Super Rugby and in the United States
‘Bruh you wanna talk about giving back and all these ego driven things, what about all the women you treat like shit g? speak on that, why you got a different woman every year? What about your kid that you barely showcase on your page?’ the post read.
Ioane has a child named Lenny from a previous relationship but revealed last week that he had not seen him in five years.
‘A chief is a leader of the family, as a Matai you don’t speak to the right things about Samoa. You think of your self gain. You need Jesus bro. All this hippie lifestyle and getting lost in things that don’t matter,’ the post continued.
The post included the profile pic used by Josefa Savele, but the image was of independent hip-hop/rap artist and producer Lui Tagaloa, who took exception to being roped into the conflict.
‘Please remove my photo, this is false, idk what this has to do with me, still a fan of ya uso,’ he commented.
Tagaloa also commented on the original post, requesting: ‘Whoever that Josefa guy is using my photo, pls remove my photo’.
Savele did not reply to that comment and still had the singer’s image as his profile picture at the time of writing.
Ioane received plenty of support from his followers after posting the attacks.
‘Just ignore these cowardly trolls, brother. Not worth pouring fuel on the fire,’ one posted.
Another added: ‘Don’t offer him a platform he was never worthy of. Let his noise fade into the distance while you keep walking your own path.’
‘You know your worth brother Dig you been through a very dark patch in the past with your children’s mothers I’ve heard your story. You could have chose another path but instead you chose to keep living life! God bless you God keep you always,’ posted another.
The Daily Mail has contacted Ioane for comment.
