Record-breaking hooker Sean Hardman has joined France-based flanker Lei Tomiki in a dual boost to the Queensland Reds.

Hardman told AAP he was on the verge of finalising another one-year deal with the Reds which would likely make him the first man to register 150 caps for his state.

The 2007 World Cup Wallabies rake has played 137 games for Queensland in an 11-year career where he started as back-up to Michael Foley.

With Berrick Barnes' defection to NSW last week prompting the resignations of the QRU chairman and chief executive, Hardman said it was an important time to plan a Reds renaissance.

A key leader in a young side, the 32-year-old veteran played a major role in ensuring powerful three-quarter Digby Ioane re-signed after Barnes' decision had forced the injured Wallabies flyer into a rethink.

"There's a large amount of pride and confidence in what can be achieved by this team and when you are around through the bad times you want to be involved in the preparations for the better days and I want to be a part of it," he said.

Hardman's decision comes as the Reds announced they had lured Tongan-born Tomiki, a former Waratah and Australian under-19, home on a two-year deal after stints with Narbonne and Castres.

Reds general manager Daniel Herbert said the 26-year old had been nabbed just in time as was also in the sights of French club Toulouse and potentially the French selectors.

"One more season in France and he would have qualified for their national side - and I understand they were definitely interested in him," said Herbert.

Tomiki, who adds back-row depth in the wake of the loss of Hugh McMeniman, can play openside or blindside flanker.

"I don't really plan ahead to make national selection or anything like that. My main goal now is to play well with the Reds and that's it," Tomiki said.

"I know with a big name player like Berrick leaving, some people won't really be expecting a lot from the Reds next year, and that could be a good thing.

"In France, even some of the great teams you hear about don't have a lot of big names but if they stick together, like a family, that's what makes it a good team. It's not just the big names, it's what you have in the team."

Reds coach Phil Mooney predicted the big-tackling, ball-pilfering Tomiki would come into his own under the new breakdown laws.

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