Leg fracture ends Tomane's season
Tomane was playing club rugby on Saturday in his first match back following a knee injury, which he suffered against the Crusaders in Round Nine. Early in the second half, a low tackle caught the 26-year-old just below his injured knee, forcing Tomane from the field.
The previously injured medial ligament in his knee was not damaged in the tackle. Tomane is expected to be out of all rugby action for at least eight weeks. He informed teammates this morning of the news.
Tomane said he is devastated to be leaving the Brumbies in this fashion before linking with Montpellier in France next season.
"This is a tough pill to swallow, there's no doubt," Tomane said.
"Unfortunately these things happen in rugby and I won't get to farewell everyone the way I would've liked, but that's how it goes sometimes.
"The Brumbies mean the world to me and I'll now get to join our fans in cheering the boys on for the rest of the season.
"I still believe this team has what it takes to win the title this year, and I'll be doing everything I can to help out the players, in whatever way I can.
"I cannot speak highly enough of how much I admire the players I have played alongside over the past five years.
"Thank you Brumbies fans for everything you have done to make my time with this club so memorable."
Brumbies interim CEO Phil Thomson said everyone is upset that Tomane's final season with the team before relocating to France has ended in injury.
"Joe is a huge part of this club both on and off the field," Thomson said.
"From pushing himself at training every day, to the time he spends with fans after matches and at community events, he has been a great ambassador for the Brumbies and for rugby.
"While everyone is devastated for Joe's season to end this way, we know he has a huge future with the game and hope to one day see him again in Australian Rugby.
"We know Joe will be doing everything he can to support the playing group over the final weeks of the competition, starting with this Saturday's match against the Force."
Tomane finishes his five seasons with the Brumbies with 25 tries from his 68 career matches. He has represented the Wallabies 17 times and scored five test tries since his debut season in 2012.
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