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Leinster utility Joe Tomane has closed the door on the Wallabies in pursuit of European success.
28-year-old Tomane left the Brumbies in 2016 and spent two years in France before joining former Wallabies teammate Scott Fardy in Ireland this year.
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“I feel like my time in the Wallabies jersey is probably done, that’s something I’ve accepted,” Tomane told The Canberra Times.
“There’s a lot of young guys that are coming through and doing really well so for me to go back it might stop that growth and as much as I’d want to play for Australia, I also want to see Australian rugby grow.”
Fardy left the Brumbies last year and found immediate success in the northern hemisphere.
Fardy helped Leinster claim the European Champions Cup title and was a nominee for European Player of the Year.
“I was just lucky enough to come to a great club in a great city and I’m enjoying it here and those things are probably a byproduct of the environment I’m in and the guys I’m playing alongside week in, week out,” Fardy said.
“I’m contracted until July next year, the rest of this season. I’m feeling good physically, so I’m getting well managed and looked after by an excellent high-performance team.”
Fardy’s current contract will expire before Australia embark on their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign, but seems settled in Ireland.
“Culturally, it’s a very similar country so for me and the family it’s been quite an easy transition and we’ve fit in pretty well.”
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At the age of 34, Fardy is enjoying playing the forward-heavy northern style with Leinster.
“As a younger player I wouldn’t have thought it would [suit me] but as I get older it definitely does,” Fardy said.
“Super Rugby suited me to some extent as well but it’s an important part of the game, to do the grind work.
“As it gets cold and windy towards end of year the season changes a lot and the game gets a lot slower and it becomes more of a grind and forward dominated.”
15-Test winger Tomane said the move for him has been the best thing for his career.
“Playing for Leinster and living in Dublin is an opportunity that you have to take. The style of rugby and calibre of players. I felt this was best place for me to grow and my game has grown.”
Leinster despatched Wasps 52-3 in the opening match of their Champions Cup defence.
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