Matt Toomua is pushing long-term five-eighth Bernard Foley strongly for the starting spot in the Wallabies side to face England on Saturday.
Toomua, singled out for praise by coach Michael Cheika following his display against Italy last week, is under serious consideration to wear the No.10 jersey ahead of Foley for the Twickenham encounter (Sunday 2am AEDT).
The Leicester playmaker, who will join the Melbourne Rebels in June, was the third player tried at No.10 this year behind Foley and Kurtley Beale in Padua.
He has played at inside centre at Test level, but his knowledge of several of the England players from his club career could also work in his favour in the playmaker role as Cheika looks to prevent a record sixth straight loss to Eddie Jones’ team.
Foley, who started at 12 against the Italians, is recovering from a sickness bug, but returned to training on Tuesday, and Cheika could still opt for his vast international experience at first receiver.
On Wednesday, the coach was still assessing his options in regards to the make-up of his back-line.
With rain forecast on Saturday, the choice of playing a pair of ball-running centres has been discussed, with in-form Samu Kerevi potentially partnered with Beale or Israel Folau.
Folau would move to the wing should Cheika opt for Beale, with Dane Haylett-Petty, rested against Italy, to return to fullback where he has impressed in recent months.
Another option being looked at by Cheika is using Beale off the bench where he can break open what is expected to be a tight game between defensively strong sides in the second half.
Jones has already been playing mind games this week, insisting destructive centre Manu Tuilagi, who is widely expected to play, won’t return from a long-term injury as he is only 99.9 per cent fit.
He has also cast doubt over extent of David Pocock’s neck injury and the talismanic back-rower will be given as long as possible to prove his fitness.
Marika Koroibete scored two tries in Padua after being drafted in as a late replacement for injured rookie Jordan Petaia.
However, he could lose his spot to veteran utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper whose last appearance against England was the memorable 30-13 win at Twickenham that knocked the hosts out of their own World Cup.
Possible Wallabies team to face England
Dane Haylett-Petty, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Samu Kerevi, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Matt Toomua, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Jack Dempsey, Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Allan Alaalatoa, Tolo Latu, Scott Sio.
© AAP
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.
After being yellow-carded by referee Karl Dickson in the first half, the official looked to be reaching for his pocket when Danny Care contentiously…
What goes up must come down, right? As the kicking game in rugby has continued to progress and progress over the last few years,…
Louis Armstrong was asked once: ‘What is jazz?’ His reply: ‘Man, when you got to ask what it is, you’ll never get to know.’…
Wallabies stars have reacted overwhelmingly positively to the appointment of Joe Schmidt to the head coach role, with the likes of Andrew Kellaway, Lalakai…
Rugby has had some ridiculous kickers. The ability and skill with the boot can turn the course of a play, a scoreline, or a…
Five years after running out for Darren Coleman's NSW Country in the NRC, Emmanuel Meafou is set to become Les Bleus' latest international after…
