Fiji Airways Flying Fijians halfback Frank Lomani will look to fill the void left by his Wallaby counterpart Will Genia for the Melbourne Rebels when the 2020 Super Rugby season kicks off.

The Nukubalavu, Savusavu native told Rebel Media that learning from Genia during off season training has helped him a lot.

“I really learned a lot from the boys and personally from Willy G (Genia). Big help, he taught me a lot of skills and I took that away and put it into practice and I know it really helped me as a No. 9 with box kicking and passing,” he said.

“That’s helped become a better player. I’ve always wanted to be among the best in this sport.

“I’ve said to myself, if Muhammad Ali can be the best in boxing, then I want to be the best in rugby. The only thing that stops people from doing that is their mentality.”

Lomani played well at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and then led the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians to a historical victory against the Barbarians at Twickenham last month.

RWC experience

“It was quite an experience as it was my first RWC,” Lomani said.

“At that level, I was a bit nervous in my first game against Australia but I believed in myself and worked hard and I was honored to have represented Fiji and my family.”

For those who watched Lomani at the RWC would have seen the precise passing, clever decision-making and ferocious intensity in which the speedy halfback plays with.

He may only be 180 cm and 81 kg, Rebels fans can get ready to see his love for tackling hard and being physical around the pitch.

“I’m fast at delivering balls and I like fast-paced games and love to work harder, not only on the field but off the field as well,” he said.

“As a No.9, we usually don’t like to tackle, but I like to tackle, and I like to be physical on the field.”

A Fijian U20s and Sevens-capped player, Lomani made his international XV’s debut for his nation in 2017 as a 21-year-old against Samoa.

After earning five caps for Fiji, Lomani put his stamp on Australian rugby when he was crowned the 2018 NRC Player of the Year in the Fijian Drua’s championship-winning season.

His NRC season and appearances on the international stage, which has included stints with the Barbarians, proved to be a launchpad into becoming a bona-fide Fijian rugby star.

Another seven international caps throughout 2018 and mid-2019 led into Lomani being selected for the Fijian 2019 RWC side.

One niche fact which Rebels supporters may not know is Lomani could have been with the Club much earlier than the 2020 season.

In 2018, Lomani was invited to join the side in pre-season training sessions as part of a Pacific Combine held in Melbourne which featured talented players from Fiji,

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj