LIKE most of his Wallaby counterparts, winger Joe Tomane admitted he didn’t know what to expect when the team landed in Dubbo on Sunday evening.

But after yesterday’s open training session at Caltex Park, the ACT Brumbies star will take positive messages about the city back home.

Tomane’s big afro and playful personality made him a hit with the kids and adults that turned up to watch the squad go through its paces for more than an hour, and at one stage he laid down beside Daily Liberal photographer Louise Donges pretending to take photos of the junior players that acted as ballkids for the day.

He also told one of the juniors he would only sign an autograph if the youngster could sidestep him, before laying what could only be described as a feeble tackle attempt and falling over.

“I’m a kid myself,” Tomane laughed afterwards.

“I’m 24 years old but sometimes I act like I’m 12. I like to joke around the with the kids and have a laugh with them because they enjoy it and it breaks up all the serious stuff.

“I’ve really enjoyed Dubbo. The people here are so nice and we’ve had such great support since we got here.

“On Sunday I looked out my window and there were people taking photos of our bus, which shows how much the community really appreciates us being here so I’m really glad we’ve shown this part of the country some love.”

Tomane started his football career in rugby league, and played 18 games with the Melbourne Storm in 2008-09 before shifting to the Gold Coast Titans, where he played 14 games in two seasons.

But he’s found his calling in rugby, scoring 11 tries in 42 games with the Brumbies as well as making nine appearances in the Wallabies jersey.

Since he joined the 15-man code he has also taken to growing an ever-expanding afro, leading to the obvious nickname of ‘Joe the Fro’.

“It’s been almost a year since I had a haircut now,” he said.

“I’ve been growing it and this is what’s happened. I don’t know how much longer I’ll keep it, but I do like it so it might be around for a while yet.”