Why Leicester Tigers playmaker Matt Toomua could debut for Rebels as early as this week
Leicester Tigers five-eighth Matt Toomua could be in line to make his debut for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby as early as this weekend after being granted an early release from the Premiership club.
Having avoided the relegation drop while failing to qualify for the play-offs, the Tigers have allowed Toomua to return to Australia early ahead of their final regular season match against Bath this weekend.
The timing of his return home couldn't be any better for the Rebels, who will likely be without star first-five Quade Cooper, who was taken from the field during his side's win over the Reds last week due to concussion concerns.
That would leave a vacancy in the No. 10 jersey for this week's home clash against the Bulls at AAMI Park on Friday, which Toomua could be in line to fill.
The 29-year-old, who is comfortable at operating at either first-five-eighth or second-five-eighth, reported at Rebels headquarters on Monday, nine months after signing a two-and-a-half year deal with the club.
Regardless of whether Cooper is fit to play or not, there is still a good chance that 42-test Toomua could start against the Bulls, whether in be in the No. 10 or the No. 12 jersey.
The duo have played alongside each other 16 times at international level, with six of those as starting first and second-fives.
However, Rebels head coach Dave Wessels could opt to ease Toomua into life at the Rebels, with a bench role a possibility this week, while a debut against the Sunwolves in Tokyo next week might be deemed to be an easier assignment.
Counting against Toomua is the fact that current midfield pair Billy Meakes and Reece Hodge combined well in their first start together this year in the No. 12 and No. 13 jerseys against the Reds, while the fact that Toomua won't be eligible for the Super Rugby play-offs because he wasn't registered as a Rebels player before April 1 due to his commitments with Leicester may also come into Wessels' selection thinking.
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika will undoubtedly be eager to see Toomua back in Super Rugby action as soon as possible, though, and a potential start at first-five will be of particular interest given he ended 2018 as Australia's incumbent pivot.
"My junior stuff was all done at 10 and I think I probably still slightly prefer it," Toomua told reporters in Sydney last year.
"However, I do like playing 12 in the Australian system because it is a lot more entertaining than other systems. So without sitting on the fence too much I’d say 10, but I don’t mind either."
Cooper will have until Wednesday to prove his fitness for this weekend's match.
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No just because the personal is much better than last year. I've shown no antagonism of Crusader players, you must be confusing me with someone else.
I have critized Razor for picking players he knows occasionally?
I said I'm not surprised because of his style, he's more a grinder player like Cane, not going to show up on peoples radar until you see how bad the other choices are. This year players like Clarke have been on fire and just show a bit more.
Are you one of those posters continually taking it easy on Razor because he doesn't have his Crusaders stars available? Do you think the rugby world is going to up to him suddenly once Mo'unga returns? lol
Go to commentsJohn you have been beating this drum for a couple of years, if you get proven right get back to us.
The last recent and decent Aussie coach was Ewen McKenzie, he was undermined and forced out by a couple of slimy Aussie players who were given a free pass when they should have been disciplined.
So our history since McQueen is very checkered and it seems to make little difference whether we have an Aussie coach or a Kiwi coach. The players have been entitled for a long time and we had to hit bottom to get them back into reality and to stop thinking it is all about them.
Cheika was an OK coach but his 'go our and destroy the opposition' tactic worked for a while and then didn't.
Please give me a list of great Aussie coaches that I have missed.
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