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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

(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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R
RedWarrior 56 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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