Melbourne Rebels wing departs for another shot at NRL in full circle career move
Young Tonumaipea's career has come full circle with the winger landing back at the Melbourne Storm.
The 29-year-old had his first training with the Storm on Wednesday having switched from playing with their AAMI Park neighbours, the Melbourne Rebels, in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Victorian-born Tonumaipea played five seasons and 43 games with the Storm between 2014 and 2018 before taking a two-year sabbatical to complete a Mormon mission.
He returned to the NRL to play 10 games with the Gold Coast in 2020.
He joined the Rebels in 2021 and played two seasons, scoring the match-winning try in their 2022 season finale against the Highlanders.
With the Rebels season ending last month he said he contacted Storm coach Craig Bellamy to see if they needed any extra bodies.
Able to play wing or in the centres, he has been offered a train and trial contract.
"When I left Melbourne midway through 2018, I thought that was the last time I'd be wearing purple," Tonumaipea said.
"It's funny how the world works sometimes - it's done a full circle and I'm back where it started."
Tonumaipea said given the Rebels campaign had just ended he was in good shape to push for another NRL recall.
"I'm buzzing, ready to go, and keen to finish the year off with the lads here.
"It's good to be back amongst some of the boys that I grew up with."
Tonumaipea said he wasn't sure whether his future lay in the NRL or rugby.
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John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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