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.
cinque
Roar Rookie
I went with Maddocks on 1 wing Folau & DHP to play swapsies No indigenous jersey for indigenous Beale Foley to tear it up as bullocking 12, now he's over the flu. How did I go?
Samlaurence26
Roar Rookie
If Toomua is going to be the Wallabies 10 then he’s got to play at 10 for the Rebels. But they’ve just signed Quade...
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
Mortlock is going to play number 2 to sort out the line out throws
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
Ha ha. Where’s Mortlock playing?
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
The reserve backs will be Karmichael Hunt and James O'connor. If we are planning to lose why not make a party of it
Muss
Roar Rookie
Classic ????????????????with john Eales coming off the bench ???
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
It's a difficult position for the coach to be in, you have to wonder at the many options going through his mind . "How do I get Foley in there", "If we win can I spin it so that Foley and Beale are the stars", "If we lose how can I make sure that Toomua wears it" Tricky decisions all.
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
I thought that Grey would be a masterstroke as he is the only one who understands the plays.
Humey
Guest
Foley is so hopeless ( 3 years) and Beale is so out of form it`s kind of weird strange that Chieka is still playing them. They both don`t look like they are enjoying their rugby.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Leicester have 3 wins from 7 ; Nau and Toomua are not setting them on fire. If Pocock is out they will flog us.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
So our choice at 10 is not a good one ; I wonder what Quadie doing ?
Loxie
Guest
I like this backline, brings genuine height and jumping ability to the backline that may go some way toward compensating for the erratic lineout throwing. Flanders and Simmons can take the inevitable over throws that sail over the lineout back jumpers. Genius...
jeznez
Roar Guru
Are you sure you don't mean Patrick Phipps? :D
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
The team backline will be: 9: Ned Hannigan 10: Rob Simmons 11: Nick Phibbs 12: Bernard foley 13: Matt Gitaeu 14: Dean Mumm 15: Nathan Grey
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Toomua made his Wallabies debut at 10, and played there for his first 4-5 matches.