Brumbies sign Titans' Tomane

[mudskipper]

New Brumbies coach Jake White has bolstered the Super Rugby franchise's backline stocks with the signing of NRL centre Joseph Tomane to a two-year deal.

The 105kg centre will provide some power and muscle among the Brumbies outside backs who have lost Wallabies star Adam Ashley-Cooper to the NSW Waratahs for 2012.

Tomane is currently contracted to the Gold Coast Titans but has played only three NRL games this season, spending most of his time in the second-tier Queensland Cup.

Tomane takes out bInglis

The 21-year-old previously played for fellow NRL club Melbourne Storm but has a background in rugby union and played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2007.

The lure of playing under White, a World Cup winning coach with South Africa (2007) and his Brumbies' assistant, former Wallabies playmaker Stephen Larkham, helped to snare Tomane.

"I'm coming across for the challenge really, to be playing Super Rugby and to be coached by Jake White and the rest of the coaching staff is really exciting for me," said Tomane, who came through the junior rugby ranks with James O'Connor and Matt Toomua.

"I've met with Stephen Larkham a few times already and he's a cool guy. He's one of the reasons I ended up coming down there and choosing the Brumbies.

"Bernie (Larkham) being there really sweetened the deal.

"My first priority is to secure a spot in the starting XV, that's where my head will be when I get down there and start training with the Brumbies," Tomane said.

"Hopefully I can extend my rugby career further than the next two years and ultimately I'd love to represent the Wallabies, but I think that's looking at the bigger picture.

"I've got plenty of experience playing rugby and only started playing rugby league once I'd left school so I'm confident I'll be able to pick up where I left off without too many troubles."

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugb...#ixzz1QRU4pJy9

[normie]

Good luck with that.

[mudskipper]

Good luck with that.

He sounds the goods but you really don't know until they get an opportunity... but he's a big, fast and mobile lad... he sounds like he wants to play and ambitious so that’s a good sign...

[mudskipper]

Pony club picked up this dude too No.8 Futo Auelua who has been with Toulon for a few years recruited by AKA George Smith ... nice to get one back off the french for his too old...


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8xcj36mBYo"]YouTube - ‪Fotu Auelua 2010‬‏[/ame]

[theforceguy]

Jake is in on the right track It is easy to coach someone into how to play rugby but you cannot coach someone into being big and strong

[mudskipper]

Jake is in on the right track It is easy to coach someone into how to play rugby but you cannot coach someone into being big and strong

Fair point... Brumbies have signed a lot of small players over the past couple of years...

[James]

Jake is in on the right track It is easy to coach someone into how to play rugby but you cannot coach someone into being big and strong

Then why have so few rugby league converts made a big impact in union?

[shasta]

Then why have so few rugby league converts made a big impact in union?

Right on cue.

But this time you are arguing with yourself James.

[James]

Fine, fine. We'll leave it there.

Fair enough I suppose since outside centre is probably where Australian Rugby is at its thinnest at the moment.

[TOCC]

Back in 2007 as a Queensland/Australian rugby union schoolboy rep, Joseph Tomane was phenomenal. Head and shoulders above the rest which includes current Super Rugby reps Ben Tapuai, James O'Connor, Matt Toomua and Rob Horne.

He is however vertically challenged and the thing which made him such a asset back then was his size, yes he is still massive, but compartively speaking he isnt a man playing against children anymore.

So i will be interested to see how he goes down at the Brumbies, as muddy mentioned, they have made a habit of signing smallish players in recent times and they need a big physical back to offset the loss of AAC.

[mudskipper]

i don't know a lot but Joseph Tomane but I do think with super rugby growing we will see a lot more players who played schools rugby and a little league trying their hand back at pro rugby. Not all these guys will be hopeless, many are talented and will do well. Take Sonny Bill Williams after a couple of years he is a world class centre and could be an all time great, my advise would be to fans and selectors don't close your minds to roar talent, it just may be what your team needs and can offer to employ.

Australia has many players being pulled towards league because it offers professional opportunities and now with more pro super rugby teams there are more options for these lads...

[James]

It is good to keep an open mind, but that also extends to players that are already here. I think Pat Dellit has been a great rookie this year at what about 24 (?) and he could very easily have been overlooked for another leaguie. What will happen to Ed Stubbs at the Brumbies? Will the Tahs persist with Ryan Cross or will they put their efforts into Brackin Karuaira-Henry?

[TOCC]

Rod Davies, Berrick Barnes and Wycliff Palu are players who also fall into the ex-league category...they didnt cost a packet to lure back and they fit right in.

I agree we shouldnt try and sign NRL superstars, those days are over, but IMO there is no problem in luring back former schoolboy rugby union players after they spend a couple of years developing in the NRL.

[normie]

Well said. That is the key TOCC, luring back to rugby those players that have played both kinds and not become league superstars, or at least, haven't spent too long in league.

[mudskipper]

Rod Davies, Berrick Barnes and Wycliff Palu are players who also fall into the ex-league category....

Yep all great players, add Rocky Elsom, Saffy,Timani.

Guys like Delitt are still not to be over looked, but I don't agree they should get preference against other league rookies, talent is out there in the local rugby ranks watch outside back Cam Crawford next season. the more competition for spots the better the squads and Wallabies.

I'd rather see a NRL player come across than import a South African half back or flyhalf.