France-based Aussie flanker Lei Tomiki signs with QR Reds
Former Australian Under 21 and NSW Waratahs openside flanker Lei Tomiki has signed a two year contract with the QR Reds after a four season stint in France with Narbonne and Castres Olympique.
Tongan-born Tomiki is a noted breakdown scavenger who plays hard on the ball and also knows his way to the tryline.
Reds General Manager Daniel Herbert said the Reds had nabbed Tomiki just in time, as the 26-year old was also in the sights of French club Toulouse and potentially the French selectors.
"One more season in France and he would have qualified for their national side - and I understand they were definitely interested in him," said Herbert, who lived in Narbonne during his stint in France.
Tomiki said he hadn't particularly set his sights on representing either France or Australia; his immediate goal will be to play well for the Reds.
"I just like to go with the flow, take it step by step and enjoy my rugby," he said, speaking overnight from the south of France, where he was relaxing on a fishing trip with team-mates.
"I don't really plan ahead to make national selection or anything like that. My main goal now is to play well with the Reds and that's it," Tomiki said.
Tomiki is expected back in Australia in October and is looking forward to coming home and becoming part of the Reds "family".
"I've been away for four years now and I'm pretty excited to be coming back, especially to join a young team like the Reds have. I think it will be a good challenge.
"I know with a big name player like Berrick (Barnes) leaving, some people won't really be expecting a lot from the Reds next year, and that could be a good thing.
"In France, even some of the great teams you hear about don't have a lot of big names but if they stick together, like a family, that's what makes it a good team. It's not just the big names, it's what you have in the team."
Following a decorated junior career and a stint with the Waratahs, where he earned five Super Rugby caps between 2003 and 2004, Tomiki headed to Europe to further his rugby when the likes of George Smith, Phil Waugh and David Croft were higher up the queue for national honours.
He carved out a niche for himself playing over 80 matches in the French Top 14, European Challenge and Heineken Cup competitions, bagging 27 tries for his two French clubs.
QR Reds Head Coach Phil Mooney said Tomiki, along with former All Black flanker Daniel Braid, will be experienced mentors for the younger backrowers in the Reds side, 21-year old flanker Poutasi Luafutu and the QAS Reds Academy's 20-year old Andrew Shaw, who made an impressive Reds debut against Richie McCaw's Crusaders in this year's Investec Super 14.
"Under the new laws the tackler at the breakdown should get more opportunity to win the ball, so a player like Lei will really come into his own," Mooney added.
Lei Tomiki
Born: 22/7/83 Tongatapu (Tonga)
H: 1.83m
W: 100kg
Castres Olympique (2007-present) 49 caps
Narbonne (2005-7) 39 caps
Waratahs (2002-2004) 6 caps (5 Super 12 caps, debut v Crusaders 2003)
Australian U21 2004
Australian Schools 2000-1 (7 caps)
Scots College/Narrabeen Sports High/ Randwick Rugby Club
