World Cup winning fly-half Stephen Larkham has urged the Wallabies to pick his understudy Matt Toomua in the No.10 jumper for the June internationals against France.
With incumbent Test and Reds fly-half Quade Cooper out for 16 weeks with a shoulder injury, the five-eighth spot has become a two-horse race between the Brumbies' Toomua and the Waratahs' Bernard Foley ahead of Thursday's 32-man squad announcement.
Larkham believes Toomua deserves the nod after playing for the Wallabies at both No.10 and No.12 across the Rugby Championship and Spring Tour last year.
"In the Rugby Championship he (proved) he is a world class five-eighth," the Brumbies' head coach said.
"Even if Quade was there, I think Matty should be in front of him anyway."
Larkham added that due to the limited preparation given for the three-Test series against France, it was not only important to stick with tried and tested performers - but proven combinations.
"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."
That means Larkham would like to see Christian Lealiifano next Toomua at No.12, and then Tevita Kuridrani at outside centre.
Not to mention Nic White at halfback.
Also on the fringes of Wallabies squad selection for the Australian conference leading Brumbies' backs will be Pat McCabe, Jesse Mogg and Robbie Coleman.
It would be a remarkable comeback by McCabe, who broke his neck for the second time whilst playing for the Wallabies 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," Larkham said.
With Nick "honey badger" Cummins tipped as the only lock-in specialist winger for the squad, Larkham also put forward the merits of Mogg and "darkhorse" 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," he said.
"Mogg's got beautiful skills and a big left boot on him - so I'm sure he's in the mix."
Share
