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Melbourne Rebels continue off-season recruitment drive by signing NRL wing

By AAP

05 Oct 2020

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Gold Coast’s Young Tonumaipea is returning home to Melbourne but to play Super Rugby with the Rebels rather than with the Storm in the NRL.

Making his debut in 2014, Tonumaipea played five seasons with the Storm before leaving midway through the 2018 campaign to follow his faith and undertake a Mormon mission.

He then joined the Titans for 2020, making 10 appearances, but decided to return to his roots, signing a two-year deal with the Rebels.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster already knows who will play at No. 10 against the Wallabies

He said he was excited to be back in Melbourne, joining his former Storm teammate Marika Koroibete at the Rebels, and looked forward to a new challenge in rugby union.

“Melbourne is home for me, so I can’t wait to be back home with my family and friends, in the city I love, back at my old stomping grounds,” said Tonumaipea.

“When I came back to the NRL after being away, I was determined to prove I could still play at the highest level and now having fulfilled that goal, I’m driven to succeed at this new challenge.

“I’m also pumped to be rubbing shoulders with Marika (Koroibete) again and I also know a few of the other boys like Hodgey (Reece Hodge) and Pone (Fa’amausili) as well.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

Jen 11 minutes ago

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Yeah I don't really get the kiwis who aren't okay with the singing. Not sure what they're expecting people to do. Reckon they need to take away the stupid restriction on how close the teams can get to each other during it.

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Bull Shark 12 minutes ago

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Googles sweet chariot…

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Bull Shark 13 minutes ago

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Per above, I think the way BB plays is the right thing for NZ. But his execution isn’t as sharp as it was. Until there’s a long term answer at 10, I’d like to see Roigard start with BB. Roigard looks the business.

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Jen 21 minutes ago

'Furious': X erupts as England fans drown out haka with controversial rugby anthem

Of course they can all sing and do what they want. But it seems weird that the England fans have adopted a slave song from the states as 'their own culture'.

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SadersMan 23 minutes ago

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The obvious takeaway for Razor is that neither BB or DMac are the solution. I'd hate to see an interchangeable horses for courses combo between them either. Love, Perofeta, Plummer, etc someone needs to have a breakout season in 2025.

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Bull Shark 29 minutes ago

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His place kicking is impeccable too. The question at 10 for NZ continues.

I thought Beauden had the right ideas and was obviously playing to a plan. his execution wasn’t perfect. There were a few times he held on to the ball just a fraction to long when a pass would have put someone into a gap. But Bb is the type of flyhalf NZ needs.

I’m a huge fan of Jordan at 14. I realise he’s a very capable 15. But he’s an excellent 14 and I wonder why Dmac at 15, Jordan 14 isn’t the best option.

Either way, Dmac came on and closed the game well. Something the ABs have struggled with. I feel like he is restricted at 10 where he has to play to a type.

Cam Roigard also looks the business. I’d start him ahead of Ratima. He reminds me of Joost. Looks big for a scrum half. Even did a dive pass today that looked textbook Joost.

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B 30 minutes ago

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I thought the AB's internal standards policy was "no dickheads"? Has Razor now expanded that to include ball bags as well?

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Bull Shark 32 minutes ago

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Not too long ago Finn claimed Ford was better than any flyhalf in SA. Facts are lost on him.

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AM 33 minutes ago

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You've made my point for me mate. They have outsourced the wages, coaching, S&C etc out to higher paying leagues and selected their OS players and won on the biggest stages. Completely proves my point and SA proved it in rugby. If they tried to keep all of those players in Argentina or Brasil they would just leave and declare for other nations, which is what is happening in Australian rugby. Meafu has declared for France and he is one of the best locks in the game. Its not artificial, just economics.