Joe Tomane

Joseph Malaki Tomane (born 11 February 1990) is an Australian professional rugby union footballer. He plays on the wing for the Brumbies in the Super Rugby competition and he has been capped for the Wallabies.

Tomane (pronounced Toe-mah-nee) 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.

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. At Nudgee, he played rugby union alongside James O'Connor. In 2007, Tomane played for the Australian Schoolboys, as did O'Connor.

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, half the Melbourne Storm's 48 total points for night to Brisbane Bronco's four points.

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.

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

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.

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

In March 2014 Tomane was baptized along with twenty others at the Life Unlimited Church in Charnwood. Tomane was baptized 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 favorite 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.

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 favorite tattoos are the cross on his left hand and his favorite Bible verse written across his stomach – Philippians 4:13 ‘‘I can do all things through Him who gives me strength’’.

As of 22 July 2016