Born in Australia, he represents Samoa at international level after qualifying on eligibility grounds.

[1][2][3] Originally from Melbourne, Iona made his way north to Australia's capital Canberra in an attempt to forge out a rugby career for himself.

In 2011 he linked up with the Tuggeranong Vikings who play in the ACTRU Premier Division while attending the Brumbies academy.

[4] A spate of injuries for the Brumbies in the middle of the 2014 Super Rugby season saw Iona earn his first cap in a derby match against the Waratahs in Sydney.

[4] Despite this Iona was offered a full-time one-year contract with the Brumbies ahead of the 2015 Super Rugby season.