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Matt Toomua is expected to replace Brumbies’ stablemate Christian Lealiifano in the Wallabies’ side to take on the All Blacks on Saturday in Dunedin.
Lealiifano has been ruled out of the dead rubber third Bledisloe Cup clash with an ankle injury and coach Ewen McKenzie confirmed Toomua, who started the first to Bledisloe Cup Tests at five eighth, was contending to fill the vacant spot at inside centre.
Incumbent five eighth Quade Cooper is the man most likely to take over goal-kicking duties from Lealiifano, who has been striking at a success rate around 90 per cent.
Lealiifano’s right ankle swelled up during Australia’s last-start 52-17 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina in Rosario. It’s the same ankle he broke last year.
McKenzie said playing Lealiifano could have compromised his fitness for the upcoming Spring Tour to Europe.
The Wallabies will also be without backrower Scott Fardy for the dead rubber against New Zealand, after some friendly fire from teammate James Horwill caused bleeding behind one eye.
“Toomua is a definite possibility,” McKenzie said on Monday.
“They (Lealiifano and Fardy) will both be right next game (the first of the Spring Tour against England).
“Lealiifano’s ankle has been an ongoing problem for some time. The short-term plan is to rest him and get him back as close to 100 per cent as possible. As opposed to pushing him through now and then he’d have to play six games in a row at 80 per cent.
“That’s not fair on him or the team.
Western Force forward Ben McCalman is likely to come in for Fardy, however no decision has been made.
Fardy’s aggressive work at the breakdown has been a high point for the Wallabies in recent matches and Horwill said his replacement would need to be prepared to roll their sleeves up.
“Fards has had a great last couple of games, he’s a real workhorse,” said Horwill.
“He gets around the ball and does a lot of things that people don’t see. He works hard at the breakdown and defence and gets through a mountain of work.
“Whoever comes in needs to bring a similar workmanlike performance against an All Blacks pack that gets through a lot of work.”
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.