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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.
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