Tomane raring to go
Joe Tomane is counting his blessings as he prepares to make his long awaited comeback to the international stage when he runs out for the Wallabies against the Springboks.
Tomane will make his first start for Australia since recovering from a broken cheekbone and a hamstring injury which has kept him out of Test selection in 2014.
The 24-year-old joins Israel Folau and Adam Ashley-Cooper to form the Wallabies back three and is relishing the chance of joining forces with them.
"The back three combination is going well and we've been doing a lot to make sure we are well prepared. I've been doing video work with Izzy [Folau] and Coopy [Ashley-Cooper] to make sure I gel with them. We have played together in the past and I'm sure we will be fine," he said.
Tomane said he was hard at work with the Wallabies and Brumbies coaching staff, who have put him through his paces, to make sure he is ready in terms of conditioning.
"I've been training really well to get back up to speed. I've had a lot of time to think about it [returning] and get my mind right. It's an exciting time that I've been thinking about and I'm grateful I get an opportunity," he added.
Tomane is also relishing the opportunity of playing against players who have achieved 100 caps for their country (Bryan Habana and Jean De Villiers) and will be using it to mark himself to their level and ability.
"We are a young backline but we got an opportunity to forge our own path now, a few years back they [Springboks] were in the same position as us. It's a good way to grow when you play against experienced players.
"It's a chance for me to mark myself against the likes of Habana, whose been a top winger throughout his career, then there's De Villiers who has been pretty much the same but in a different position," he stated.
The wing made the switch to union under the guidance of Jake White and Steven Larkham but it was White who had the most influence on his career.
"He [White] moulded me into the person I am today and was the mastermind in me making the switch from league to union. Union was always on my mind and I was happy that I got the opportunity to return.
"I asked Jake [White] for some tips and he told me to run hard and I was like okay," he jokingly said.
Tomane is well aware of the threat posed by Springboks' back three and it quite simple as to how they would counter it.
"They all fast and we know speed kills. I really hope they don't burn me."
"They might have speed but we have Israel, and ponytails and tats," he joked.
Tauriq Ebrahim
