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Matt Toomua is a young man in a hurry, the Wallabies’s latest recruit not content to merely make up the numbers after joining the grand slam tourists in London.
“I see this as a learning experience – definitely developmental – but, in saying that, I’m not here just to carry bags or anything like that,” the teenager said.
“I want to give it a go and give it all I’ve got. Yeah, just have no regrets by the end of the tour knowing that I did give it everything.”
After considerable anxiety for Toomua, the Brumbies five-eighth was drafted in last week as a replacement for Berrick Barnes, who injured his ankle injury training in Tokyo before Australia’s Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
The 19-year-old was on tenterhooks for two days playing phone tag with Wallabies team manager Phil Thomson.
Initially on standby, Toomua was then told he wasn’t required before finally being rushed into the squad for Tuesday night’s clash with Gloucester.
“It didn’t look like it was going to happen so I started organising things for holidays with my family and then got a text the next day saying I was off to London,” Toomua said.
“As you can imagine, it was quite a whirlwind and quite different. I was very excited when I first got the call, then disappointed when it didn’t work out and then, funnily enough, it did work out.”
Toomua, who spent last month honing his game during a four-week stint in Cape Town playing for Western Province, didn’t get off the bench at Gloucester but understands having had just one training session with the Wallabies.
“A lot of it was very new,” he said.
“I’ve been doing a lot of home work in the last 24 hours but it’s a lot different being out on the field and actually seeing it and I’ll have to learn it a bit quicker so it gives me a better training session.
“Being at the elite level, in terms of being professional off the field and on the field, it’s really about watching guys like Matt Giteau in my position – how they operate and what I can get from their game and add to my game and create my own type of blend.
“It’s about seeing what I like and what I can start developing into the player I want to be.”
Not surprisingly, given his hectic schedule, Toomua didn’t even have time in Australia to try his Wallabies kit on for size.
“I had to jump on the plane,” he said.
“It was kind of funny last night when I actually opened my bag that I got given in Australia. It was surreal being there and seeing the Wallaby emblem.
“There was myself and (fellow recruit Wallabies call-up) Tyrone (Smith) and we both sort of commented on how it was pretty cool.
“But we’re not there yet and there’s a long way to go. But it is encouraging to know that we are actually thought about.”
Preferring five-eighth, Toomua may also be used at fullback when he gets his next big opportunity in the Wallabies’s second mid-week match against the Cardiff Blues in three weeks.
“I’ll play anywhere,” he said. “Everyone says it, but why they say it is because you do want to put on the jersey.”
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.