RUGBY LEAGUE
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He'll have the rare distinction of playing for and against the one club in the same season but Dragons' mid-season acquisition Mark Ioane isn't carrying any grudges ahead of his side's clash with the Titans on Sunday.
The quintessential rugby league journeyman, Ioane has traversed two countries and three states on his quest for regular NRL action.
A product of De La Salle College in Auckland - of which current teammate Leeson Ah Mau is also an alumnus - Ioane was an NYC standout and Junior Kiwis rep with the Warriors before heading to Canberra in 2011 in search of an NRL start.
He spent most of his time plying his trade with the South Logan Magpies and Mounties in NSW Cup - for whom he was 2012 Player of the Year - but the elusive NRL start wasn't forthcoming.
The 24-year-old has since managed 23 NRL games in three seasons with the Titans, nine of them this season, before the Dragons - in the midst of an injury crisis - came knocking with a deal for the remainder of 2015.
It meant another abrupt move for Ioane and partner Sarah, who was well settled on the holiday strip.
It's a far cry from the high-rolling lifestyle many associate with professional rugby league but for Ioane it's never been about money.
"It's just been about getting that opportunity to play NRL so moving from club to club was just about getting that opportunity.
"Coming to the Dragons was just another good opportunity for me.
"I've got my partner here and I've been here a month now and I've settled in well.
"She's followed me through all my Australian clubs and she's been that rock that I've needed to lean on when times get tough."
Ioane debuted for the Dragons in round 17 barely 72 hours after arriving in Wollongong, scoring a late try in an 18-12 loss to the Cowboys.
After earning an NRL recall for the Dragons' clash with the Broncos two weeks ago, Ioane is hoping to keep his spot over the final two games of the year and press his claims for a contract beyond 2015.
"I'll let my management deal with the club and hopefully my footy can do the talking for me," Ioane said.