More Test caps than Super Rugby games: Rod Iona's long-awaited ACT Brumbies start

"Absolutely, and I would not want anyone to see that because it's pretty scary," the ACT Brumbies flyhalf grinned.

Iona jokes McKellar was "a very angry man back in the day" when the pair combined to lead the Tuggeranong Vikings to John I Dent Cup glory. Now though, he says the Brumbies' Super Rugby mentor has cooled down a little.

But what about the man who will pull on the Brumbies' No. 10 jersey against the Western Force at Perth Oval on Friday night?

Iona has more Test caps for Samoa [seven] than Super Rugby appearances [five]. This week marks his first start for the Brumbies since making his club debut in 2014.

MORE RUGBY UNION

So you wonder what to make of the 30-year-old playmaker, who fills the void left by Noah Lolesio after an ankle injury ruled him out of the trip to Perth.

"Some people may say 'he's still the same Rodney, always joking around'," Iona said.

"I feel like being overseas as a young guy coming into the system, I was still raw, still trying to find my feet. Obviously playing 10 as well, I was just trying to find a position I really enjoyed and have a permanent position.

"I feel like I'm a more mature player now, I've been overseas and played different sorts of rugby. I feel like I've learnt a lot along the way.

"I've played international, I've played overseas, and coming over here I've gained so much experience. I've bought into the Brumbies environment and I'm very confident going out to [Perth] this week and doing what I can do."

Iona lines up alongside a childhood friend in Pete Samu for the Brumbies on Friday night. The pair played junior football together in Melbourne.

Iona's rugby journey has led him to France, Spain, England, Melbourne and Perth. He returns to Western Australia determined to make a statement.

The playmaker is off-contract at season's end but a burning desire to represent Samoa at next year's World Cup is on a list of goals Iona has written down.

For some his debut would feel like a lifetime ago. Iona is one of the few remaining links to a team featuring Ben Mowen, Stephen Moore and Clyde Rathbone.

"Obviously Scott [Sio] and Al [Alaalatoa] were around at that point in time, Whitey [Nic White] and Moggy [Jesse Mogg] who have now come back," McKellar said.

"Some story for Rods, he has certainly shown a whole lot of persistence and resilience to not give up on his dream.

"His strength has always been his ability to challenge the defensive line; his running game, his footwork, his acceleration. He's really consistent with his performance now, he can guide and direct a team around the park, he's not just trying to run his way out of every moment or opportunity.

"He understands sometimes at this level you've got to put the ball in front of the forward pack and play in the right areas of the field. We've seen that growth within his game.

"His strength, from way back when he first came to the Brumbies academy when he was playing for Tuggeranong, was that he could challenge the defensive line. That's what we're looking for from him on Friday night."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND SIX

Friday: Western Force v ACT Brumbies at Perth Oval, 10pm. Broadcast live on Stan Sport.

Brumbies team: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Sefo Kautai, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Rod Iona, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Fred Kaihea, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Rory Scott, 21. Nic White, 22. Hudson Creighton, 23. Jesse Mogg.

Force team: 1. Harrison Lloyd, 2. Feleti Kaitu'u (c), 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Izack Rodda, 6. Fergus Lee-Warner, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Jake McIntyre, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Bayley Kuenzle, 13. Kyle Godwin, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Jake Strachan. Reserves: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Bo Abra, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Tim Anstee, 20. Ollie Callan, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Richard Kahui.

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