Joe Tomane

Joseph Malaki Tomane[1] (born 11 February 1990) is an Australian professional rugby union footballer. He played inside centre for Leinster in the first game of the 18/19 Pro14, and formerly played for the Brumbies in the Super Rugby competition. He has been capped for the Wallabies.

Joe Tomane
Birth nameJoseph Malaki Tomane
Date of birth (1990-02-11) 11 February 1990
Place of birthPalmerston North, New Zealand
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight102 kg (16.1 st; 225 lb)
SchoolSt. Joseph's Nudgee College
Notable relative(s)Jason Tomane (brother)
Rugby league career
Position(s) Wing, Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2009 Melbourne Storm 18 (78)
2010–2011 Gold Coast Titans 14 (36)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2015 Canberra Vikings 1 (0)
2016–2018 Montpellier 46 (82)
2018–2020 Leinster 21 (15)
2020– Ricoh Black Rams 2 (0)
Correct as of 7 June 2021
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2016 Brumbies 67 (125)
Correct as of 7 June 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2015 Australia 17 (25)
2007 Australian Schoolboys
Correct as of 7 June 2021

Early life

Tomane (pronounced Tor-mah-nee)[2][3] is of Samoan and Cook Islander descent. He was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand but moved with his family to Brisbane, Australia when he was three years old.[2][4]

In Brisbane, Tomane attended Marsden State High School and played rugby league alongside Israel Folau, Antonio Winterstein and Chris Sandow until he moved to Nudgee College for his senior year.[5] At Nudgee, he played rugby union alongside James O'Connor. In 2007, Tomane played for the Australian Schoolboys,[3] as did O'Connor.

Rugby league

In 2008, Tomane joined the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League. In only his ninth NRL game on 7 June 2009, playing against the Brisbane Broncos, Tomane scored three tries and took on the goal-kicking duties for the night to achieve six goals from nine attempts to bring his total points tally for the night to 24 in the Storm's 48–4 win over the Broncos.[6]

Tomane signed with the Gold Coast Titans on a two-year deal starting from 2010. He was also selected in the Samoan training squad in 2010.[7] After his successful career in rugby union (see below), Tomane returned to his rugby league roots in mid-2023, to play for Brisbane-based Souths-Logan Magpies in the Queensland Rugby League. [8]

Rugby union

In June 2011 Tomane signed a two-year deal with the Brumbies to play in the Super Rugby competition.[3]

Tomane made his International debut playing against Scotland at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle on 5 June 2012. He had limited opportunities in the wet conditions but made a try saving tackle. An ankle injury sustained during training two days later ruled him out of the subsequent test series against Wales.[9]

On 5 July 2016, Tomane confirmed that he would be leaving the Brumbies for French club Montpellier at the end of the season.[10]

On 12 June 2018 Leinster Rugby confirmed that they had signed Joe Tomane on a two year deal.[11] His contract was not renewed for the 2020/2021 season and Leinster announced that he would be released on 13 July 2020.[12]

On 1 October 2020, Tomane confirmed his move to Japan to join Ricoh Black Rams in the Top League competition from the 2020-21 season.[13] This was followed by several appearances for French team Biarritz in 2022. [14]

Personal life

In March 2014 Tomane was baptised along with twenty others at the Life Unlimited Church in Charnwood. Tomane was baptised as a child but wasn't religious growing up. However, after he turned his career around Tomane became a devout Christian. He now goes to church every week, prays before matches, has tattoos of his favourite bible verses, and pauses to thank God every time he scores a try. He also wants to start a Christian group for athletes in Canberra.[15]

Tomane has nine tattoos, most in relation to his Christian faith or Samoan heritage. He also has three stars behind his ear, which are for daughter Starsha. His other favourite rite tattoos are the cross on his left hand and his favourite Bible verse written across his stomach – Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength".[16]

Super Rugby statistics
As of 22 July 2016[17]
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2012Brumbies1311282340002000
2013Brumbies18135113340002000
2014Brumbies118364830001500
2015Brumbies18180140880004000
2016Brumbies88058460003000
Total68581045962500012500

References
  1. "Nouvelle recrue : Joe Tomane" (Press release) (in French). Montpellier. 27 June 2016. Archived from the original on 27 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  2. "Joe Tomane". Australian Rugby Union. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  3. "Towering Tomane set for rugby reunion" (Press release). Brumbies media unit. 27 June 2011. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  4. Donaghy, Dave (12 July 2008). "Tomane a man in demand". Herald Sun. News. Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  5. Marshall, Matt (23 April 2009). "School days to class acts". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  6. "Match Stats".
  7. "Samoa Online".
  8. "QRL.com.au News".
  9. "Vuna set for Test debut after more Wallaby woe for Joe Tomane". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  10. "Wallabies winger Joe Tomane confirms Montpellier move". South China Morning Post. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  11. "Joe Tomane Signs for Leinster Rugby". 12 June 2018.
  12. "'I'm grateful I got to wear the Leinster jersey' - Tomane". 13 July 2020.
  13. "Joe Tomane's new club confirmed after Leinster exit". Ultimate Rugby. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  14. "Joseph TOMANE". Itsrugby.co.uk.
  15. Chris Dutton (20 March 2014). "Joe Tomane reborn for Brumbies in Super Rugby". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  16. Chris Dutton (31 May 2012). "Joe Tomane reborn for Brumbies in Super Rugby". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  17. "Player Statistics". its rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
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