Junior Kiwi prop heads to the London Broncos

He has had brief stints with the Gold Coast Titans and the St George Illawarra Dragons but there will be a challenge of a different kind, as Mark Ioane heads to England after signing with the London Broncos.

Subject to a visa application, Ioane has joined the London-based side for the 2016 season and is pleased to have the opportunity.

I’m really looking forward to moving to the London Broncos and I would like to thank Andrew Henderson for giving me the opportunity to play overseas with the Broncos,” said Ioane.

“I have heard a lot of good things from people in Australia about the London Broncos and I am looking forward to experiencing those first hand when I arrive.”

“I’m really excited about the challenge that lies ahead and I certainly have the ambition of helping the Broncos get back into Super League.

I have had a few chats with Andrew about how he’s trying to rebuild and move the club forward to be a successful club in the coming years and it was something that really interested me and I want to help the club achieve those goals.”

Having never been to England before, it will be a new experience for Ioane and one that he looks forward to.

“This will be the first time I have been over to England but I’ve heard a lot of good things about it, in particular London and how beautiful it is and me and my partner will be looking forward to all the new experiences that London can offer,” said the utility forward.

Well aware of his NRL experience what he can bring to the table, the signing is one that has pleased coach Andrew Henderson.

“I’m very pleased that we have been able to bring Mark to the club for the next two seasons,” said Henderson.

“It is very rare that a Championship club can attract a player with Mark’s NRL experience and his excellent rugby league pedigree.”

“Mark has come through the New Zealand Warriors youth system and has gone on to average over ten NRL appearances per season over the past three years which is a very good achievement considering that he is still young as a prop.”

Henderson also believes that Ioane is just peaking as a player now and looks forward to seeing the best out of him.

“I feel that we have signed Mark at the right time, just as he is establishing himself and he will only grow, develop and get better as a player over the coming years,” said Henderson.

“Mark certainly has his best years ahead of him and hopefully we will get to see that with him wearing a Broncos jersey.”