Toomua to get the 10 jersey ahead of Cooper?

[jargan83]

By Iain Payten

EWEN McKenzie is set to make a shock selection in his first Test by handing Brumbies rookie Matt Toomua a Test debut in the Wallabies No.10 jersey against the All Blacks on Saturday.

Keen to use the element of surprise against New Zealand, the Daily Telegraph understands McKenzie has overlooked Queensland Reds playmaker Quade Cooper for a comeback, the scenario most predicted based on their provincial history.

Instead the new coach has plumped for Toomua, 23, whose impressive form this year helped the Brumbies to the Super Rugby final two weeks ago. Cooper is likely to be injected into the game from the bench and James O’Connor, who filled the five-eighth’s role against the Lions, is set to be moved back to the wing.

The opening Bledisloe Cup clash at ANZ Stadium will be Toomua’s first taste of Test football, after injury last season robbed him of a probable call-up and ex-coach Robbie Deans ignored his claims for the Wallabies’ squad against the Lions.

Toomua displayed his capacity to shine in big games, in any case, when he guided the Brumbies to an historic victory over the midweek Lions in Canberra. His defensive prowess, particularly, stood out in that game and charging, hard hits were a feature of his strong Super Rugby form as well.

McKenzie’s selection will likely see the young playmakers of the Super Rugby final – Toomua and Chiefs star Aaron Cruden – matched up again, and that defensive starch is no doubt an asset that appeals to the new Wallabies coach.

Cruden is the man tipped to wear the All Blacks No.10 after Dan Carter was ruled out with a calf injury on Tuesday. Toomua belted Cruden with a trademark shooter in the final, and his defensive pressure has the ability to not only rattle Cruden, but contain hard-running No.12 Ma’a Nonu as well.

It could also throw All Black planning to target Cooper out the window.

Toomua is no greenhorn at the professional level, having accrued 37 Super Rugby caps since debuting as an 18-year-old in 2008.


More here: http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wa...#ixzz2bts0u3jv

[The InnFORCEr]

like

[SNOB]

Good Call!
Now what does that say to TIC & TOC! QC is second rate!

[PeterM]

Keen to use the element of surprise but the media have got wind of it and leaked it to the general public thus eliminating the element of surprise!

I would love to see the Wallabies get the bledisloe back

[jargan83]

Keen to use the element of surprise but the media have got wind of it and leaked it to the general public thus eliminating the element of surprise!

I would love to see the Wallabies get the bledisloe back

Possibly been leaked because Quade Cooper is in fact starting?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTsa_g5eu-E"]Serbian Jew Double Bluff - YouTube[/ame]

[chibi]

I must admit, though I'm not a fan of Cooper, I would start him. At least that way you can see early on if he's having a shitter, you can take him off and put on Toomua. I don't trust Quade's temperament if it's the other way around, and you bring him on to save the Wallabies.

[AndyS]

Got to admit I'm surprised. Anyone who can be pressured into forgetting to ground a missed penalty is far from ready for Test rugby (and that was hardly his only lapse of the year)

[shasta]

Don't think Link is likely go into the game with a spare 10. If the starter is injured he can go with LLI 10 Rabbit 12 or vice versa. I'd go with Toomua starting.

[Alison]

I'd go Toomua, with Foley on the bench

[sittingbison]

Whichever way it goes, at least for a change there is a bit of tactical nous on display designed to keep the ABs honest.

Hallelujah!

[GAFFA]

Could also end up with something like this

9 Genia
10 Toomua
11 Cummins
12 Lilo
13 AAC
14 Izzy
15 Cooper

[The InnFORCEr]

Nick will miss out if Izzy is fit, and JOC on the other wing IMHO.

[GAFFA]

Nick will miss out if Izzy is fit, and JOC on the other wing IMHO.

they need one of Cummins or Tomane in the 15 to take first phase ball if they dont have a crash baller everything will be on AAC.

[shasta]

Could also end up with something like this
15 Cooper

Yep, crossed my mind too. Cooper also does a lot better with covering tackles than he does defending in the line.

[zed]

Yep, crossed my mind too. Cooper also does a lot better with covering tackles than he does defending in the line.

Yup 2 try saving tackles against the Lions on the wing. Pretty impressive cover defence for a 10. But obviously they don't count