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.”
Harry Jones
Guest
Is Cooper the goal kicker? If he's not on, who is the backup?
Hoy
Roar Guru
I like definitely, maybe.
formeropenside
Guest
Try Gill instead of Hooper if you want actual results rather than showpony ineffectiveness.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Taps has to be by far the best choice, but they won't pick him from outside the squad. I hope he gets a good run at 12 next year for Qld. Honestly - Mike Harris ahead of Taps. You do wonder sometimes.
Markus
Guest
Or get planted out wide. Guys like Joe Tomane and Cooper Vuna (before he left) seemed ideal for the ball-running, offloading inside centre mould. I guess it's no coincidence that both have a history in the NRL.
Markus
Guest
Given that Dave Dennis and Pat McCutcheon were the Waratahs captains this season, I don't think your point was as sarcastic as you think it was.
Jereme Lane
Roar Guru
yep, because michael cheika loves soft players as captain! ha
Skirttheissue
Guest
....sorry, Carter's already been 'got' :)
Kibz
Guest
Dennis isn't Test match material, he's soft.....rather have Liam Gill in the run on with Hooper.
Hopperdoggy
Guest
Yeah well one thing you can't fault Toomua on is his defence. Nonu ain't gonna run through him and I'd put $ on him getting in a couple of big hits on Carter or Nonu for sure.
Hopperdoggy
Guest
And I thought I was the only one who choked on that Brett. Personally, I'm kind of partial to a probable certainty myself.
Ian
Guest
I was never a fan of Horne at 13, but his stats at 12 this year were impressive. Horne is no way comparable to De Villiers, SBW or Nonu though, not even close. Australian rugby just doesn't seem to have any truck and offload centres, these type of players all seem to play league instead.
Kiwi bro
Guest
I really like Toomua - he's a well spoken tough humble young man . Speaks like a doctor an hits like Tyson . Great combination for a man . Good luck to u an your Aiga uce
Hammertime
Guest
Tomua is tough little bugger though. pulled off some big hits this year.
Zulu
Guest
Yep! The soft option is what the WB'S need!
Raa
Guest
-- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Raa
Guest
What a joke we should be selecting a fast strong ball runner at 12 not a midget who doesn't even play 12. Look at the 2 best sides in the world SA & ABs they both have powerful ball running getting over the gain line centres we should be picking Horne at 12 so we have some go forward -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Squirrel
Guest
Its ironic the more you pay the wallabies the worst the player and player pool. Its money for jam to be a wallaby, why aren't more talent trying to break into this squad.
Justin3
Guest
Love to see a ball running 12 for a change. Taps wipes the floor with mt at 12 IMO
Justin3
Guest
Dave Dennis is all that?