World Cup winning fly-half Stephen Larkham has urged the Wallabies to pick his understudy Matt Toomua in the No.10 jumper for the June internationals against France.
With incumbent Test and Reds fly-half Quade Cooper out for 16 weeks with a shoulder injury, the five-eighth spot has become a two-horse race between the Brumbies’ Toomua and the Waratahs’ Bernard Foley ahead of Thursday’s 32-man squad announcement.
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Larkham believes Toomua deserves the nod after playing for the Wallabies at both No.10 and No.12 across the Rugby Championship and Spring Tour last year.
“In the Rugby Championship he (proved) he is a world class five-eighth,” the Brumbies’ head coach said.
“Even if Quade was there, I think Matty should be in front of him anyway.”
Larkham added that due to the limited preparation given for the three-Test series against France, it was not only important to stick with tried and tested performers – but proven combinations.
“They need to make sure combinations are either there from previous Wallabies tours or Super Rugby,” he said.
“And I’d suggest that you’d have to go with current form of Super Rugby, which would indicate a strong combination from the Brumbies.”
That means Larkham would like to see Christian Lealiifano next Toomua at No.12, and then Tevita Kuridrani at outside centre.
Not to mention Nic White at halfback.
Also on the fringes of Wallabies squad selection for the Australian conference leading Brumbies’ backs will be Pat McCabe, Jesse Mogg and Robbie Coleman.
It would be a remarkable comeback by McCabe, who broke his neck for the second time whilst playing for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions last year.
Larkham believes the 26-year-old will make the Wallabies squad as he can play several positions – including centre, wing and fullback.
“His form warrants it. The Wallabies will see him as a very versatile utility back,” Larkham said.
With Nick “honey badger” Cummins tipped as the only lock-in specialist winger for the squad, Larkham also put forward the merits of Mogg and “darkhorse” Coleman – Super Rugby’s second leading try scorer behind Israel Folau in 2014.
“Coleman’s a very good finisher. He doesn’t have a lot of room to work in, but he’s very fast,” he said.
“Mogg’s got beautiful skills and a big left boot on him – so I’m sure he’s in the mix.”
Whakatane
Guest
I don't think Mogg is a big omission. Good super player. Could be great. Just needs polishing. Reminds a bit of Israel Dagg with his big boot and sniping runs, sadly he isnt as accurate. Robinson has really struggled since the introduction of the new laws and hasn't done a lot to prove himself worthy. Godwin hasn't been playing to his potential and is injured at the moment.
MrT
Guest
But that's not what it says...
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nope It will be: 9. Genia 10. Foley 11. Cummins 12. Toomua 13. Kuridrani 14. AAC 15. Folau 21. White 22. Beale 23. McCabe Missing out - Phipps, Horne, CLL
soapit
Guest
and AAC as back three so would seem he wont be seen at 13 too soon.
soapit
Guest
never used it but i get your point. foley has been improving for 2 seasons now. anyway i'm happy with that rationale (form doesnt warrant it). was more commenting that not picking him because you want experience/established combos isnt a good reason. ab's and boks dont do it purely because they have greater depth that allows them not to.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
I understand Godwin is injured up until the test window, I don't think he was considered. Well done to the rest of the Force boys.
Rollaway7
Guest
I am sure you have used the term great super player average international before Soap, let him prove himself on the big stage from the bench first. For me the national squads (Wallabies and Boks) it honour and pride mate, you don't just stroll in off the back of a few good super games. The All Blacks don't do this and the Boks don't do this (injuries permitting) No one is denying Foley's form, no one is denying him a shot, simply saying start him off the bench and go with tried and tested. If Toomua was useless id say go for it but he is not he is a proven international and a fine 10. My national team must win every game, this is not negotiable they represent the country not some super team. That anyone suggest taking the chance on the nations team to give some bloke starting spot to see if it works out "even if we lose" is insulting to the gold jersey
jameswm
Roar Guru
Biggest omissions? Mogg? Robinson? Douglas and Mowen not considered I don't think. Godwin not ready yet perhaps
jameswm
Roar Guru
Full squad here: PROP Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies) Pek Cowan (Western Force) Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs) Scott Sio (ACT Brumbies) James Slipper (Queensland Reds) HOOKER Nathan Charles (Western Force) Stephen Moore (ACT Brumbies) Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs) LOCK Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies) James Horwill (Queensland Reds) Luke Jones (Melbourne Rebels) Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds) Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs) BACKROW Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies) Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels) Matt Hodgson (Western Force) Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs) Ben McCalman (Western Force) Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs) SCRUMHALF Will Genia (Queensland Reds) Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs) Nic White (ACT Brumbies) FLYHALF Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs) Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs) CENTRE Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies) Christian Leali’ifano (ACT Brumbies) Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies) BACK-THREE Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs) Nick Cummins (Western Force) Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs) Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs) Pat McCabe (ACT Brumbies) All positions named in alphabetical order. great news for Charles, Skelton, Cowan and Carter
Quading in...
Guest
And where does the badger fit then? Surely that means 6 must picks...
Rhino
Guest
Just heard the Wallabies squad announced and Toomua picked as a centre with Foley and Beale selected as the flyhalves in squad. Probably doensn't necessarily guarantee that Toomua won't end up as the run-on 10 but interesting all the same.
Quading in...
Guest
Lots of good points there Rollaway, maybe throw Foley in at 50-60min mark or so and see how that combo goes (Toomua at 12)? That would be a good compromise and Foley wouldn't have too much pressure as a debutant five eighth... I think Toomua is the only rational choice to start though. I'm pretty sure his form over the year guarantees him first dibs even before considering his performances on the EOYT.
Terry Kidd
Guest
Well I reckon it will be Genia, Toomua, Beale, ACC, Cummins, Horne, Folau ..... Foley, Phipps, McCabe
soapit
Guest
true could be a bit ott, i'm a bit sensitive after andrew johns used a slightly similar reasoning behind not picking a rookie half for nsw in origin game 1 in brisbane i wouldnt pick him if i didnt think he was the best candidate for the position, what i dont agree with is not picking him despite this just because he's inexpereinced and doesnt have the combination. realistically we're not going to win every test between now and the wc. also even if we did it wouldnt mean we wouldnt then lose a game at the world cup. i'm not a full believer in winning is a habit, as long as we get a reasonable success rate and look good in our losses id be fairly happy with our wc chances. i think you underestimate the resilience of both foley and the public. if he's picked and fails then if he's truly good enough he'll bounce back. if he's not good enough he shouldnt be picked in the first place
jameswm
Roar Guru
No Hooper? There are 5 must-picks for the Wallabies, and admittedly 3 of them are Brumbies. Two are Waratahs.
Rollaway7
Guest
Soap its a bit heavy handed saying its moronic, most good coaches don't blood players at pivot starting in a test match. Its both to protect the team and the player. Coming off the bench is more then adequate response to Foley's form. Unless there is no one available you can do this but its risky for the team and the players confidence. A. Winning every match now until the world cup final should be priority B. Limited prep time is absolutely an issue to achieve point A C. Combinations are crucial to achieving point A D. Winning is a habit E. You probably stopped reading by now. End of the day, saying "stuff winning, stuff combination, stuff everything just chuck him in" risks too much all the while you have a form and second in line player already available. It does not make sense. Genia has never played with Foley, Toomau has never played with Foley... if you don't think this is a problem then you have never played in a back line. If Foley gets the nod, the moment gets to him and he fails what would that do for his confidence and respect from the public, if you are honest with yourself in Australia you go from zero to hero back to zero in no time.
jutsie
Guest
probs change the 2nd row too other than that you make a good point lol
Markus
Guest
Pretty sure all the Brumbies flankers are eligible. Sorry Hooper :) That said, the Wallabies could do a whole lot worse than the entire Brumbies starting XV bar Folau for Mogg and with Palu for Mowen.
Markus
Guest
Agreed. If Christian was still kicking at 90+% like he was last year then I'd have no problem, but with White as the primary goalkicker then McCabe's superior form has to have him starting.
Rollaway7
Guest
No he is personally mentored by one of the best 10's in the history of the game... thats what it means :)