Australia
Toomua should wear 10, Quade or no Quade: Larkham
May 21, 2014
Matt Toomua is in fine form with the Brumbies © Getty Images
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Stephen Larkham has urged Australia's selectors to pick Matt Toomua in the No.10 jumper for the June Tests against France.

Quade Cooper, the incumbent Test fly-half, is sidelined for 16 weeks with a shoulder injury, leaving a two-horse race the jumper featuring the Brumbies' Toomua and New South Wales Waratahs' Bernard Foley ahead of the 32-man squad announcement on Thursday.

Larkham believes Toomua deserves the nod after playing for the Wallabies at both No.10 and No.12 in the Rugby Championship and on the end-of-year tour last season, saying "in the Rugby Championship he [proved] he is a world-class five-eighth".

"Even if Quade was there, I think Matty should be in front of him anyway," Larkham said before suggesting a strong Brumbies contingent because of the need for proven combinations due to the limited preparation time ahead of the three-Test series against France.

"They need to make sure combinations are either there from previous Wallabies tours or Super Rugby," he said. "And I'd suggest that you'd have to go with current form of Super Rugby, which would indicate a strong combination from the Brumbies."

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That means Larkham would like to see Christian Leali'ifano alongside Toomua at No.12, and then Tevita Kuridrani at outside centre. Not to mention Nic White at halfback.

Pat McCabe, Jesse Mogg and Robbie Coleman are also in contention for Wallabies selection from the Australian conference-leading Brumbies' backs.

Wallabies selection would complete a remarkable comeback by McCabe, who broke his neck for the second time whilst playing for Australia against the British and Irish Lions last year.

Larkham believes the 26-year-old will make the Wallabies squad as he can play several positions - including centre, wing and fullback. "His form warrants it. The Wallabies will see him as a very versatile utility back.".

With Nick Cummins tipped as the only lock-in specialist winger in the squad, Larkham also put forward the merits of Mogg and Coleman - Super Rugby's second-leading try scorer behind Israel Folau in 2014.

"Coleman's a very good finisher. He doesn't have a lot of room to work in, but he's very fast," Larkham said. "Mogg's got beautiful skills and a big left boot on him - so I'm sure he's in the mix."

© AAP

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