ZCZC
BSP-06
RUGBYU-RC-2018-AUS-ARG
Toomua’s Wallaby return good for competition, says Beale
BRISBANE, Australia, Sept 10, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Matt Toomua’s return to the
Wallabies fold has injected some much-needed competition, Kurtley Beale said
Monday, after the Leicester inside centre’s standout performance against
South Africa.
Coach Michael Cheika took a gamble for Saturday’s clash in Brisbane by
axing playmaker Bernard Foley from the starting line-up for the first time in
four years, introducing Toomua to the side and shifting Beale to fly-half.
It paid off with Australia snapping a four-game losing streak to win 23-18.
The composed Toomua, eligible for the Wallabies again after signing a deal
with the Melbourne Rebels for next season, following two years with Leicester
in England, slotted in seamlessly.
He finished with a 15-point haul, including a try, two conversions and two
penalties to be named man-of-the-match.
“He’s obviously a quality player and having him there has created a lot of
healthy competition among the playmakers,” said the versatile Beale, who took
over the number 10 shirt from Foley to direct operations alongside Toomua.
“We haven’t had that for a while — probably not since Matt Giteau left (in
2016) — but once you have that competition there you get the better out of
each other.
“It’s certainly good for the group.”
Despite being axed, Foley took it his stride and helped Beale and Toomua
prepare as best he could, leaving Cheika with plenty of options ahead of the
World Cup next year.
“Nothing really changed for him. That’s the quality of player and person
that he is,” Beale said of Foley.
“He does a lot of work behind the scenes helping myself and Matty going
into last week’s game and having him there to help here and there certainly
helped.
“He has taken it really well and he’s a tough, resilient guy. He will
bounce back in no time.”
With the wind in their sails, the Wallabies turn their attention to
Argentina on the Gold Coast this weekend after the Pumas were outclassed by
the All Blacks 46-24 in Nelson — their 26th defeat in 27 to New Zealand.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1248 hrs