Matt To'omua locked in until 2023 World Cup

Plenty of players have had poor Super Rugby seasons, but then go on to tear it up in tests. Ma'aa Nonu was one of them. Toomua is still the best candidate at 12 for the Wallabies by a considerable margin, none of the other candidates have the all round second playmaking skillset.

That's a good shout to be fair!

Bench player at Leicester - you're not from the UK clearly or watch premiership rugby. I live in the UK (stuck here due to COVID) and I can tell you right now he wasn't a bench player. I sat at Welford road and watched him win a game off his own boot. In fact, I know for a fact Leicester fans have rated him as their best import ever, and they also tried to get him back on a sabbatical twice! A friend of mine works with the club so know this first hand. I'm sorry your comment just lacks any truth. It's fine if you don't rate him. You're entitled to your opinion brother, but don't make up facts about his time at Leicester.

Between JoC Toomua Lolesio Paisami Ikitau and Godwin (his form since coming back from injury has been fantastic) there is definately a few good 10/12/13 options available right now. The two Tahs centres have also been good in a struggling team. I don't see Toomua in the 23 he's not going to get the nod over JoC for 10 or 12, he's behind Lolesio at 10, Paisami and Ikitau should both be getting game time as well given they will (hopefully) long term become a 12/13 combo. Personally I like the idea of 10. Lolesio 12. JoC 13. Ikitau/Paisami with the unlucky one of that pair on the bench. Toomua was the best 12 we had a few years ago but kept getting overlooked for Beale and Giteau, he's still a good player but being rapidly overtaken by the others. Paisami/Ikitau both look like the real deal and would be the first of the younger backs I'd want to develop.

Agree re the Rebs...He will be great to have around and guide the young guys thru ( if the new coach ever gives young guys a chance as its not a strong Aus coaching point ) and experience cant be under estimated but surely he wont be at the WC as if he is it is a sad reflection on Aus rugby...

Last year we saw how important To’omua was when he wasn’t there

How wonderful ! we will have the slowest 10 in history at the 2023 RWC. Well done Aussie rugby.. ...again..well done. clap clap :thumbdown:

Toomua did not play any 12 this year, that was Hodge. I don't think having Hodge outside him helped at all, but also the gameplan did not help at all. The Rebels did come close though, so perhaps JOC or Lolesio would have made the 3 point difference in the 3 games that would have got them to the finals if they won.

He was a bench player at Leicester so I doubt there would be much demand. He is a straight run of the mill inside back. He does what is expected ; nothing exceptional. With players like him providing solid play you need something special out side him. Meakes was a better option for the Rebels . Better defence , better hands and able to break the line and pass. Just as he was doing for London Irish. Far better to go for Lolisio and Harrison with JOC providing the solidarity at 12 and Paisami @ 12 , Banks 15, Wright 14 and Koreibeti / Muirhead / Rann 11 the excitement . If JOC was injured I would rather see Lolisio or Petaia tried at 12.

I'm starting the test season with 10. JOC 12. MT 13. HP I can see HP transitioning into 12 in a year or so, though.

Did To'omua play any 12 for the Rebs this year? JOC and Noah would both have struggled in a Rebs 10 jersey. T To'omua has proven he's a test-standard 12, so I'm not ruling him out of the WB 12 based on this year's form. That said, he's not necessarily the best candidate.

I hope the Rebels can introduce a talented young 10 or two that Toomua can support from 12. Perhaps Edmed will see more opportunity down south than being third in line at the Tahs?

DR will wheel out old fellows Hooper and Toomua in 2023 RWC and then wonder why he was bundled out.

Oh dear. :crying:

The Cadbury Jersey has really got people on top form

Totally agree TJ. Any discussion of his current form is muddied by the fact he's not playing in his best position at the Rebels. I have every confidence he'll shine at 12 for the Wallabies, and be a capable back up at 10 if needed. Similarly Paisami is a capable back up at 12, but his best position is 13.

He’s the best 12 in the country for me. Play him at 12 outside of JOC, Hunter at 13, Jordy and Wright on the wing. Not sure who we put at full back. That’s my biggest question mark. But very happy he’s staying as a Burn Boy. He’s been down my local club in recent weeks running training sessions for juniors. That’s the type of bloke I want in Oz Rugby.

I think with him it's not the talent that sets him apart. More toughness, smarts, leadership. JOC, Loelesio and Toomua in some combination would think will be the 10, 12 and reserve 10/12... We'll see, i guess

Really? I cant see him playing in the World Cup in 2023. There are younger and seemingly more talented players biting at his heals already who will only get better. I don't see Toomua getting better over the next couple of years and see him being overtaken at both 10 and 12. That being said, I am happy he will be with the Rebels for a while and hopefully lead them to some success.

:laughing: