Matt Toomua’s looming defection to English club rugby will not affect his chances of selection for the Wallabies next season, according to coach Michael Cheika.
The 25-year-old Brumbies playmaker has signed a three-year deal with Leicester from 2017 after exercising a get-out clause in his contract at Canberra-based Super Rugby club.
Cheika, who is in England coaching the Barbarians, told News Corp Australia, Toomua would not be frozen out by the Wallabies.
“He’s not coming (to England) until 2017, so he’s still got a season of Super Rugby and international rugby to play this coming season,” the Wallabies coach said.
“He’ll be considered for full international commitments; there’s no reason why he wouldn’t be. He’s committed to Australia until that time and he’s been a big part of the Australian team.
“We had a couple of discussions about it, and just like with a few other players who have gone overseas I’ll be ringing him every couple of weeks and saying, when are you coming home? Get out of there, come back.”
Toomua is one of several Wallabies to sign overseas deals who have not played the 60 Tests required to be eligible under the overseas player rule implemented to make the likes of France-based Matt Giteau available for the World Cup.
Cheika won’t lobbying to have the eligibility mark lowered to accommodate players like Toomua who has played 31 Tests.
“I’m good with where we’re at,” he said.
Cheika’s Barbarians hammered Gloucester 62-14 at Kingsholm on Tuesday and face Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Bazza
Guest
We struggled against an injury ravaged WALES..No tries scored either...Why can`t checka see Foley and Phipps are just a park footballers?? Is it his blue tinted sunglasses..No wonder we got thrashed in the final...
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Right so beating Scotland by the skin of the teeth and then getting thrashed in the final is ok as long as it'd done per the game plan.
The Battered Slav
Guest
Beale at 10, genius. Give this man a job.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
sure Toomua won't be frozen out much like Cooper will still be playing in Australia.
The Moondawwg
Roar Rookie
There sure is a lot of whinging in the comments about selections. The coach (and his selections) got us 2nd in the World Cup within 1 year of taking the reins. He had no choice in his selections for the first major games - EOYT 2014. 2nd to a team widely regarded as the best rugby team ever. As Adrian D mentioned, it's been a long time since we have achieved this sort of success (even if many were close games). We all like to preach our thoughts here in this forum, but I do believe Cheika probably knows better than us who suits his game plan.
marto
Guest
I reckon we should experiment with this team against the poms in the 3 test series.. 1 B Robinson 2 TPN 3 Ryan 4 Mumm 5 Skelton 6 Dennis 7 Hooper 8 Pocock 9 Phipps 10 Foley 11 Kellaway 12 Beale 13 Horne 14 H Jones 15 Folau
Great WC
Guest
Considering Australia's struggles over the last decade or more, being picked for the Wobbies hardly makes for an excellent player... Had he been selected for the All Blacks... Well totally different story
marto
Guest
He is successful Adrian, because he beats up on 3 tier nations... URUGUAY USA FIJI SCOTLAND ( nearly lost that one) etc etc
wazza
Guest
Agree all 4 were injured, but Genia was ok ..Just..
Ken
Guest
We didn`t win anything not bothered?? 1.We struggled to beat wales scotland and fiji..Tahs and old crocks cost us..
Ken
Guest
But Jeznez Higgers at 8 would have given us 4 lineout jumpers and Higgers can play tight ..Anyway a wasted WALLABY talent playing for GREEN ROCKETS in Japan now..
riddler
Guest
don´t bother nb.. two very, very average commentators..
Not Bothered
Guest
If only Cheika would stop worrying about winning and just pick QLDers.
Not Bothered
Guest
Yeah, thats BS. He wasnt picked, he wasnt frozen out.
Not Bothered
Guest
Why comment on a rugby site? Its pretty clear neither of you know anything about the game. Let me inform you, both Foley and Toomua are excellent rugby players, thats why theyve been picked to play for Australia. There, now you both know something about rugby.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Higgers was a balance question. If we played a tighter 7 than Hooper then we could play a wide ranging 8. Ultimately it became a question of: 7. Hooper 6. Fardy 8. Pocock Or 7. Pocock 6. Fardy 8. Higginbotham With the other challenger and first choice bench player McCalman in the mix. In a straight shoot out between Higgers and Hooper, I am not surprised he only got one shot. He is a player I like a lot but I agree with the decision that Cheika made squad wise. I think Toomua should have had more game time, that Kerevi should have been trialled but I don't think a mistake was made with Higgers this season.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Barely gets game time anyway, may as well let him go.
Adrian
Roar Rookie
Oh dear Rubber! Oh to be bitter. Most successful Australian coach for 10 years. If he was a failure, imagine what the small minded parochial boondocks spruikers would say!
RubberLegs
Guest
Cheika played a bunch of cripples in the finals: Folau, Genia, Sio, Slipper (Gitts?) and left fresh fit, talent out of the game day team. Toomua should have been used more during the tournament. Is Larkham just there to clean the team bus? Cheika is too nervous or frightened of the ARU to rest or drop injured players- The fashion industry must not be a reliable source of income - he is clinging to the Wallaby coaching job like a Dingo.
Ken
Guest
Yes Higgers was booted after one game against SA. One game ! When these other players continually have shockers and still get selected.. Mumm ,Palu, Phipps, Skelton, Dennis, Douglas, Horne, TPN, Foley and Izzy... See a pattern there ?