Tomane inks new Brumbies deal
Wallabies winger Joe Tomane has committed to Australian rugby by signing a two-year contract extension with the Brumbies.
Wallabies winger Joe Tomane has committed to Australian rugby by signing a two-year contract extension with the Brumbies.
Despite interest from other teams, including the Reds, the 24-year-old will stay in the Australian capital until the end of the 2016 Super Rugby season.
A fractured cheekbone ruled the nine-Test-cap wing out of the June series against France but the Brumbies are hoping he'll be available to face the Western Force in their last regular season game at Canberra Stadium on July 11.
That gives him an outside shot at selection for The Rugby Championship.
“You can never have enough quality players at a certain position and I know Joe will work hard and be determined to regain his place in the team once he recovers from his injury,” Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said.
“Joe ticks all the boxes in terms of what you are searching for as a coach and I'm pleased he has chosen to continue his future with Australian rugby. He is only at the beginning of his Test career but he does boast a unique combination of size, speed and power, which is invaluable at this level. He's also a guy who contributes a lot to the team environment off the field and is someone who respects the key behaviours we feel are important to this group.”
After making his debut for Australia against Scotland in 2012, Tomane would prove a revelation in his second year of Test Rugby, scoring three tries as part of eight total matches played during 2013.
While a toe injury ruled Tomane out of the opening Test of the 2013 The British & Irish Lions series, he was quickly reinstated to play an important role in the remaining two matches against the northern-hemisphere heavyweights.
“I want to make it clear that I always wanted to stay in Canberra playing with the Brumbies,” said Tomane.
“I gave my management clear instructions at the start that the Brumbies was the only team I wanted to play for and I'm pleased that the club has been able to include me in its plans for the future.
“Working under [head coach] Stephen Larkham has been a highlight for me at this point in my career. I know that I'm able to push my limits and improve my game with [Larkham] as my coach.”