Returning Wallabies playmaker Matt Toomua was one of the few people who didn’t tune into the first half of last year’s Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney and he had a pretty good reason for not doing so.
“I was on a driver education course because I got done for going through a red light,” Toomua said. “So I missed the first half. I ended up watching it later and it was horrible. It wasn't good.”
Kenn to make impact: Matt Toomua at Wallabies training at Moore Park.
Toomua’s biggest crime was watching the game on replay from the northern hemisphere. To jog the memory, the Wallabies went into half-time trailing the All Blacks 40-6 and at one stage were down 54-6 after 48 minutes.
They salvaged some pride to eventually fall 54-34 but their Bledisloe dreams were all but dashed after an insipid opening half characterised by sloppy defensive reads and ill-discipline.
For two years in a row Sydney crowds have had to sit through some of the worst rugby the Wallabies have dished out in recent years.
Toomua was there in 2016 on a “pretty sombre old night” when Australia went down 42-8. He came off injured in the 30th minute having already replaced another injured Wallaby in Matt Giteau.
It was a forgettable night for all involved and that is why Toomua said it was up to the current crop of players to give a better account of themselves in Saturday’s series opener at ANZ Stadium.
“We've got a little bit to play for,” Toomua said. “I think we owe the Sydney crowd something. Unfortunately we haven't gone well here for a little while, so I think it's time we gave them something to cheer about.
“Every year you are told what has happened since the last time we won it. [It] doesn’t help. I remember as a kid seeing John Eales kick that goal [in 2000] and Toutai [Kefu] scoring under the posts [in 2001] and they were inspirational moments.
“It’s up to us to provide a few of those moments for the good of the game in Australian rugby … so it’s a huge responsibility.”
With Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale in line to remain at No.10 and No.12 for the Wallabies, Toomua is eyeing off a bench spot for the must-win fixture.
He joked on Tuesday that he hoped Cheika would go for a 5-3 split on the bench, rather than the same 6-2 he opted for in all three June Tests against Ireland.
After a stint abroad for Leicester, the 28-year-old is just happy to be back training with the Wallabies and in with a chance of adding to his 33 Tests.
“I thought it [the 2016 Bledisloe opener] was my last Test," Toomua said. "I’m glad I hopefully get a chance to write a nicer ending or a bit more fitting ending from a selfish point of view."
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