1
Rebels snap up Fijian replacement for Will Genia
Melbourne Rebels posted a positive start to their 2019 Super Rugby season, which included two wins in the opening four weeks against the Brumbies, who take on the Jaguares in the first of the competition’s semi-finals.
ADVERTISEMENT
That early momentum faded, though, as the Rebels ended up finishing second in the Australian conference with a record of just seven wins in their 16 games, a total that saw them manage to finish only 11th on the overall log and comfortably out of play-off contention.
There were moments of magic between Will Genia and Quade Cooper in the half-backs, as the tournament-winning combination from the Reds in 2011 reunited in Melbourne. But with Genia now reported to be heading to Japan after the World Cup, head coach David Wessels has moved to bolster his options at scrum-half.
Fijian international Frank Lomani, who was previously part of the Rebels squad in 2018, has agreed to a two-year deal with the franchise where he will compete with former Australian under-20 Harrison Goddard.
SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED
Fiji international scrumhalf Frank Lomani will be calling Melbourne home from 2020 ?
Read more here: https://t.co/H2d10Iq8G7 pic.twitter.com/yXpChWsZ3K
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) June 28, 2019
“Signing with the Melbourne Rebels is a dream come true for me,” said Lomani. “I’m looking forward to developing my game in a world-class environment and picking up as much as I can from my new team-mates.”
Michael Ruru, the only other scrum-half currently on the Rebels roster, is off to Bayonne, who recently secured their promotion back to the Top 14.
Lomani, 23, has been one of the standout performers for the Fijian Drua side since their inclusion in Australia’s National Rugby Championship, as well as featuring for the Barbarians in their game against Argentina at Twickenham last year. Since making his debut for Fiji against Samoa in 2017, Lomani has gone on to win eight caps.
ADVERTISEMENT
The young No9 is one of four scrum-halves included in Fiji’s 42-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup and, barring injury or a drop in form, is likely to be one of the 31-man contingent that heads to Japan later this year.
Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby franchises have often been reluctant to bring in capped players from the Pacific Island nations. However, with the player exoduses to Europe and Japan rising to new levels thanks to the Rugby World Cup, they cannot afford to turn down players as talented as Lomani.
Melbourne Rebels general manager Nick Ryan explained: “Frank is a guy we’ve had our eye on for a while now, particularly after the way he dominated the NRC last season.
“Spending so much time in the national squad has certainly fast-tracked his development. There’s no doubt he will emerge as one of the bright stars at this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.”
ADVERTISEMENT
WATCH: Ronan O’Gara speaks to the media ahead of the Crusaders’ Super Rugby semi-final against the Hurricanes
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
30 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
27 Go to comments