- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Starting five-eighth Matt Toomua has been ruled out for the remainder of the Super Rugby season after re-injuring his knee during the Brumbies’ 29-26 loss to the Sharks.
Scans taken on Saturday have confirmed a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee, the same one he injured three weeks ago against the Cheetahs when he tore the medial ligament.
In his first game back since that injury, Toomua had the ball and was trying to make a quick change of direction when he went to ground grimacing in the 48th minute.
Brumbies coach Jake White conceded in hindsight his return had been rushed.
“It’s funny – in coaching you always have to make some risks and we say the biggest risk is not taking a risk,” White said after the match.
“He was ready to go.
“But it wasn’t the right call to bring him back this week.
“One never knows. The reality is maybe we rushed him back, but we did the same with (lock) Leon Power and he’s just gotten better and better.”
It’s a significant blow for the Brumbies and White, who made no bones about Toomua being a vital cog of his backline earlier this week.
He parachuted the talented 22-year-old straight back at No.10 for the Sharks game, rather than stick with solid understudy Christian Lealiifano, who was shifted to inside centre.
At the time, White had staunchly defended his selections, saying Toomua had been groomed specifically for the No.10 jersey throughout the pre-season.
At least now he will have a proven combination to return to, which might also clear a path for unlucky Joe Tomane in the starting backs line-up.
The NRL convert was relegated to the bench for the Sharks despite a dazzling two-try performance against the Highlanders last week.
Despite Saturday’s loss, the Brumbies earned a bonus point and remain at the top of the Australian conference on 18 points, well clear of the Reds and Waratahs on 13 points each.
Under White, the Brumbies are three from five matches, but haven’t lost by more than seven points.
The never-say-die ACT outfit even tried to snatch the win after the siren in the last play of the game and were within range when Ben Alexander knocked the ball on.
White couldn’t say whether his squad should have gone for the drop goal and a draw, but backed their determination in trying to steal what would have been a momentous win.
The South African coach said it was also a credit to the Brumbies that the Sharks had wanted to kick the ball out after Nic White’s final try to end the match.
“The Springboks hooker says ‘can we kick it directly out because we want to win this game’,” he said.
“That’s a big statement and that makes a point to us as a group.
“There’s a massive amount of kudos that go to this group of players.”
The Brumbies next travel to Brisbane for a Good Friday clash against the Reds.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.