The Brumbies will have to fight for Australia’s top Super Rugby honours over coming weeks without star Matt Toomua, who is facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
Toomua had surgery during the week to clean out a knee he injured in last round’s loss to the Highlanders.
He sat out Friday night’s 23-6 win over the Bulls at GIO Stadium and will also miss next Friday’s all-important clash with the Melbourne Rebels in a tussle for Australia’s only guaranteed finals berth.
While coach Stephen Larkham was reluctant to put a timeframe on Toomua’s return, it’s believed the inside centre will be out for between four and six weeks.
But with a bye after the Rebels match and the international break in June, the only other fixture he is set to miss is against Japan’s Sunwolves on May 28 in Canberra.
The injury, though, likely rules him out of the Wallabies’ first Test against England on June 11.
It’s a big blow for the ACT franchise, who are already without Joe Tomane and Henry Speight and have a fight on their hands to make the playoffs.
“But the guys who are coming in for these injured guys are really stepping up and proving that they deserve to get their shot,” Larkham said.
Robbie Coleman filled in for Toomua at No.12 on Friday, with James Dargaville playing 80 minutes on the wing.
Larkham praised both for their efforts, but admitted Toomua’s kicking was missed against the Bulls; the Brumbies failed to find touch on three occasions.
“There’s dropped balls out there as well and we probably stuffed a couple of lineouts, so there’s some issues,” he said.
“Not having Matty out there for that line kicking, it’s something that we’ll certainly address, but the attitude and energy was superb throughout the game.”
The victory snapped a two-game losing streak and puts them on top of the Australian ladder, two points ahead of the Rebels who have the bye this week.
The NSW Waratahs can overtake them, however, with a big win over the Cheetahs on Saturday night.
The Brumbies have one less match than the Tahs and Rebels to improve their 6-4 win-loss record.
“Every game for us now is massive, particularly before the June series,” co-captain Stephen Moore said.
“We’ve got two games before that break and they’re both critical.
“(The Rebels) have played really well this year, they’re a very well-organised side, they’re very clear about how they want to play and are very strong physically so it’s going to be a good battle.”
Markus
Guest
Toua has been bad. Makes some shocking decisions and I have more faith in Fardy kicking for touch. But Toomua has been poor too this season, and I think people forget just how bad Mogg's form was before he departed. Dargaville may not be Test quality but I think he was one of the Brumbies better players on Friday. Coleman has a good skillset but just is not big enough to make a proper impact at this level. 5 years ago I was wondering whether his speed background as a flyhalf would have made for a great transition to scrumhalf, but it never eventuated.
Utah
Guest
Toomua's head has been elsewhere this year I think. Rare that you see a player sign overseas and then have a good season before they leave. Same in business. Nearly better off letting them go immediately and move on.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I would not want Gits either. He kicked in general play well and defended well in the rwc. No attack , did not create tries or even line breaks so attack missing both individually and in organising. In fact he cramped Kuridrani constantly and took away his time and space.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I think being a brumbies fan has blinded you. Brumbies have had a mountain of possession due to great forwards work, like against highlanders, and the backs do not penetrate , do not threaten. Neither Toomua or CLL have been creative for a while. They started very well as against Canes and Tahs. This included the backline. However since then the backline has been stuttering and predictable. Stormers, cheetahs,chiefs, tahs second game, crusaders, highlanders and now the bulls. Toomua has tackled well but attack and creative play lacking. But struggled against Stormers, Highlanders,
peter hughes
Guest
ok - I hope you're right about return of Kerevi. Flat out don't agree with you about Toomua - he was great all of 2015 & has been far better & more consistent than Kerevi in 2016 imo. Kerevi has literally had 4 good games in 2016 - ie his last 4. Prior to that he was missing in action like most of the Reds team. I do agree with you about Beale - best so far in 2016 & still a better option than the unproved & inconsistent Kerevi imo. And you forgot Lealifano - he & Toomua better no 12 options for me. And what is Giteau's status - is he available in 2016 for Ws ??
PeterK
Roar Guru
He is out for 4 weeks not 2-3 months, it was only a hand injury, he should be available for the first test Toomua has had a poor season. Last year not that good either. So he has not had a full season of very consistent performances. Nor has CLL for that matter. The most consistently in good form this year has been Beale, a lot better than last year. Beale's defense is even more questionable than Kerevi's.
peter hughes
Guest
@ PeterK Kerevi still too inconsistent for me plus he's out for 2-3 months anyway. Prior to injury he had 3 good games for Reds in 2016 and about 4 in 2015. He goes missing too often & his defense is questionable imo. He needs a full season of very consistent Super preformances to convince me. Even fit I have him no 5 on my list of Aussie 12s behind Toomua, Lealifiano, Giteau, Beale
PeterK
Roar Guru
since it is impossible for a team that has palu starting to do well that means according to your prediction rebels will finish first in the conference. IMO Brumbies have the easiest draw left by far and are odds on to top the oz conference.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Kerevi has been far better at 13 than Kuridrani That said I would pick both for the wallabies, Kerevi at 12 and Kuridrani at 13.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Toomua has been playing in 2016? Hardly noticed since the opening rounds anyway. Kuridrani is playing at about 50%, but that's still leaps and bounds ahead of the other Australian 13s.
peter hughes
Guest
Paul The poor kicks for touch are small beer compared to the other massive errors, lack of penetration & missed tackles from the current Brumbies back 3. These guys are going into touch unnecessarily, Also ............. - missing tackles through poor positional play & being out muscled. - throwing silly 50/50 passes to no-one or over side line. - failing to beat anybody on kick returns. - chasing kicks poorly or not at all. - not supporting each other as a back 3 combo. - showing no mongrel. They've all done this in every game they've started or finished. They were especially rubbish against the Bulls so they're not improving. And Coleman has always been a dud centre & also not Super standard as a winger either imo. With 4 duds in the backine Brumbies are GONE imo for 2016 unless they get their stars back fast.
Paul
Guest
To be fair to the players on the pitch, toomua has missed his share of touchfinders too.
TonyH
Roar Rookie
Kuridrani is vastly overrated, IMO. He rarely stays on his feet. Agree with the comments about Toua and Coleman. Even though they have a relatively favourable run-in, fixture wise, they will be hard pressed to keep the Tahs at bay in the Australia conference.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Early days to make that call. Coleman is not big but he accelerates and creates breaks pretty well. Probably should be at fullback. Kuridrani isn't at his best but he's still fine. The other two should get more game time before we write them off. Maybe they are rubbish, but it's too soon to tell.
peter hughes
Guest
Wish I could share your optimism Utah. I don't rate Dargaville, not in McCabe's class. Ah Wong scored 1 good try & was rubbish for remainder - plus he's far too slow for a top class winger. Kuridrani ok but disappointing all yr for me - Rod Kafer says same. Coleman is a road hump for top quality centres. Can only hope Toomua, Speight & Tomane return soon but you can't go far with a dud fullback.
Utah
Guest
Toua is not up to it and has shown that time and time again. But you are being too hard on the rest of them. Kuridrani had a good game last night, getting them over the advantage line numerous times. Dargaville was faultless in his first start and is a player who gives his all, in the same mould as Pat McCabe. Ah Wong also played well. As for your statement that they won't make the finals with a backline comprising those players, I don't really see the relevance. By all reports Toomua and Tomane will be back after the Test break, and Henry Speight may even return before then. They only have 2 games remaining before said break, against the Rebels and Sunwolves. That backline should beat the Sunwolves comfortably, and is good enough to give the Rebels a shake in Melbourne.
peter hughes
Guest
So I'm a Brumbies fan & doing my best to stay optimistic but have to be realistic and say after watching last nights Brumbies v Bulls game that the ............................ Brumbies backline is now poor after the loss of Speight, Tomane, Toomua & Mogg (2015). Add on the continued poor form of Kuridrani. Brumbies cannot/will not make the 2016 finals with a backline comprising replacements Ah Wong, Coleman, Dargaville & Toua. They are 4 error prone duds in both attack & defense & not Super Rugby standard imo. I don't see long term potential in any of them either. Toua in particular must be close to the worst fullback in the whole Super Rugby comp. Coleman is too small for a Super Rugby centre & is road kill most of the time. All are error prone & offer little in attack. Hard but fair. If they are the best replacements Brumbies have then they won't win enough games to come 1st in the Aust. conference & therefore will not make finals imo