Joe Tomane Explained

Joe Tomane
Birth Name:Joseph Malaki Tomane
Birth Date:11 February 1990
Birth Place:Palmerston North, New Zealand
Weight:102kg (225lb)
Education:St. Joseph's Nudgee College
Relatives:Jason Tomane (brother)
Module:
Embed:yes
Year1start:2008
Year1end:2009
Year2start:2010
Year2end:2011
Club1:Melbourne Storm
Club2:Gold Coast Titans
Appearances1:18
Points1:78
Appearances2:14
Points2:36
Module2:
Embed:yes
Ru Position:Wing, Centre
Repyears1:2012–2015
Repteam1:Australia
Repyears2:2007
Repteam2:Australian Schoolboys
Repcaps1:17
Reppoints1:25
Ru Ntupdate:7 June 2021
Superyears1:2012–2016
Super1:Brumbies
Superapps1:67
Superpoints1:125
Super14update:7 June 2021
Years1:2014–2015
Clubs1:Canberra Vikings
Years2:2016–2018
Clubs2:Montpellier
Years3:2018–2020
Clubs3:Leinster
Years4:2020–
Clubs4:Ricoh Black Rams
Apps1:1
Points1:0
Apps2:46
Points2:82
Apps3:21
Points3:15
Apps4:2
Points4:0
Ru Clubupdate:7 June 2021

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.

Early life

Tomane is of Samoan descent. He was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand but moved with his family to Brisbane, Australia when he was three years old.[2] [3]

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.[4] At Nudgee, he played rugby union alongside James O'Connor. In 2007, Tomane played for the Australian Schoolboys, 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.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

Rugby union

In June 2011 Tomane signed a two-year deal with the Brumbies to play in the Super Rugby competition.[8]

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 was not 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

[17]

Season Team Games Starts Sub Mins Tries Cons Pens Drops Points Yel Red
20121311282340002000
201318135113340002000
2014118364830001500
201518180140880004000
201688058460003000
Total68581045962500012500

External links

Notes and References

  1. Nouvelle recrue : Joe Tomane. Montpellier. 27 June 2016. 27 June 2016. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20160627163926/http://montpellier-rugby.com/news/nouvelle-recrue-joe-tomane. 27 June 2016.
  2. Web site: Joe Tomane. Australian Rugby Union. 27 June 2012.
  3. Web site: Donaghy . Dave . 12 July 2008 . Herald Sun . News . Tomane a man in demand . 29 June 2012 . live . https://archive.today/20130522181521/http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/tomane-a-man-in-demand/story-e6frf3sc-1111116892325#.UZ0LIUoaVSo . 22 May 2013 .
  4. Web site: Marshall. Matt. 23 April 2009. The Daily Telegraph. School days to class acts. 29 June 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110614153641/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/school-days-to-class-acts/story-e6frfgbo-1225702277172. 14 June 2011.
  5. Web site: Match Stats.
  6. Web site: Samoa Online.
  7. Web site: QRL.com.au News.
  8. 27 June 2011 . Towering Tomane set for rugby reunion . Brumbies media unit . 7 June 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120401191722/http://brumbies.com.au/News/Article/tabid/1213/ArticleID/3812/Default.aspx . 1 April 2012 .
  9. Web site: 7 June 2012. The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Vuna set for Test debut after more Wallaby woe for Joe Tomane. 26 June 2012.
  10. Web site: Wallabies winger Joe Tomane confirms Montpellier move. South China Morning Post. 5 July 2016. 10 July 2016.
  11. Web site: Joe Tomane Signs for Leinster Rugby. 12 June 2018.
  12. Web site: 'I'm grateful I got to wear the Leinster jersey' - Tomane. 13 July 2020.
  13. News: Joe Tomane's new club confirmed after Leinster exit. Ultimate Rugby. 1 October 2020. 19 October 2020.
  14. Web site: Joseph TOMANE. Itsrugby.co.uk.
  15. Web site: Chris Dutton. Joe Tomane reborn for Brumbies in Super Rugby. The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 March 2014. 23 July 2014.
  16. Web site: Chris Dutton. Joe Tomane reborn for Brumbies in Super Rugby. The Sydney Morning Herald. 31 May 2012. 23 July 2014.
  17. Web site: Player Statistics. its rugby. 26 July 2016.