Queensland Reds looking to sign Brumbies flyer Joe Tomane as player drain continues

THE Reds are set to grab the prized signature of Wallabies finisher Joe Tomane to solve their need for size and speed on the wing.

Brumbies Joe Tomane in action during the Super Rugby match between the Queensland Reds and the Brumbies. Photo: Josh Woning.

THE Reds are set to grab the prized signature of Wallabies finisher Joe Tomane to solve their need for size and speed on the wing.

Sources indicate the Reds are well advanced in negotiations to lure the winger, who broke their hearts in April as a Brumbies matchwinner.

Signing 102kg Tomane would be a big piece to sort out the puzzle of the wingers and fullbacks who have left the Reds.

Former Wallabies winger Dom Shipperley yesterday announced a two-year deal with the Melbourne Rebels. That followed the exit to France of flyer Rod Davies (Biarritz) and Aidan Toua (Agen).

Australian under-20 fullback Jonah Placid this week spurned the Reds, who handed him a Super Rugby debut at 18 this season, to sign with the Rebels.

Nine-Test winger Tomane is everything the Reds need as a belated replacement for Digby Ioane.

They have paid for being without such a weapon in all 15 games they have played in this misfiring season.

Early season speculation he was keen to sniff out a deal in Japan has dried up with Tomane saying he wants to stay in Australia.

Tomane, 24, was schooled in Brisbane, has family here and has made a success of his rugby career since wasting his NRL chance at the Gold Coast Titans.

The Tomane pitch would add extra spice to the backline shake-up because James O’Connor seems certain to be wearing red next year and code-collector Karmichael Hunt is also a target.

The Reds would have to pay the full tab for O’Connor and Hunt because Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver said Thursday there would be no contract top-ups from the national body.

Pulver did welcome O’Connor's possible return to the Super Rugby ranks from London Irish and an upcoming six-month deal with French giants Toulon.

“I can tell you the ARU is not going to sign a contract with James,’’ Pulver said.

“We discontinued the relationship with him a year ago for the right (disciplinary) reasons, in my view.

“That doesn't mean he can't come back with the right attitude to be a wonderful contributor to Australian rugby.

“Generally if you have been in the Wallabies camp for two years, we’ll look to put you on a top-up agreement.

“It's not appropriate (in O'Connor's case).’’

Pulver is playing hardball because surely if O'Connor’s zip were pivotal to a strong World Cup showing next season he would warrant a top-up for 2016.

“I'm not aware of any of the details (of any Hunt discussions) and if there are discussions at a state level, it’s not appropriate to comment anyway,’’ Pulver said.

Originally published as Queensland Reds looking to sign Brumbies flyer Joe Tomane as player drain continues