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'I'll play the role that we need': Why Matt Toomua's midfield switch may become a regularity following Rebels win

By AAP
(Photo by Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images)

Although he’s put his hand up to wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey, Melbourne playmaker Matt Toomua says he’s happy to stay at inside centre if that is what’s best for his Super Rugby AU team.

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Wallabies coach Dave Rennie on Friday said the Toomua and Queenslander James O’Connor were leading the test five-eighth charge.

Against the Brumbies on Friday night at Leichhardt Stadium, Toomua started at No.12 for the first time this season, with Andrew Deegan at five-eighth and it worked a treat with the Rebels handing the Canberra team their first defeat with an emphatic 30-12 scoreline.

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Aaron Mauger speaks to media.

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Aaron Mauger speaks to media.

Toomua said the new combination made an impact, with their dual kicking game far superior to the Brumbies while they also made greater use of their talented backline.

But he admitted it took a bit of adjustment.

“I came in and I sat and the 10 locked, and then I was like, oh move over,” Toomua said.

“It was a great selection call – you look at Deegs how he played – I thought we moved the ball better at the back there.

“I’ll play the role that we need me to play.”

While praising their intensity and physicality for the full 80 minutes, Melbourne coach Dave Wessels was a little annoyed they missed a bonus point with the Brumbies scoring a last-ditch try.

Wessels said the Rebels were motivated by those left behind in Melbourne and were determined not leave the competition empty-handed.

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The Rebels have now been on the road for seven weeks, and unlike AFL and NRL teams, don’t have their families in hotel hubs with them.

Wessels is a father of three young children who he has left behind in Melbourne.

“I spoke to someone in Victoria and they genuinely sounded really down and I think the motivation for boys that everyone at home is doing it pretty tough,” Wessels said.

“There’s a huge motivation in the group to want to play for those people, particularly our families and the staff back home.

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“We are really motivated to make them proud.”

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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