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Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua, Bernard Foley - who is the Wallabies' perfect 10?

EWEN McKenzie has reduced his Wallabies squad to 30 - but he is no closer to revealing who will be Australia's flyhalf. Vote for your pick.

Quade Cooper
Quade Cooper

EWEN McKenzie has reduced his Wallabies squad to 30 - but he is no closer to revealing who will be Australia's flyhalf in the Rugby Championship opener.

McKenzie has included three playmakers in his squad - Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua and Bernard Foley - as the Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks next Saturday night (August 17) looms.

We know one thing: it's not going to be James O'Connor, who was Robbie Deans' pick for flyhalf during all three Tests against the British and Irish Lions.

O'Connor could still be in the Wallabies line-up come next Saturday night, but it will be at fullback or on the wing.

Despite strong suggestions Cooper will be the man McKenzie entrusts with topping the all-conquering All Blacks, the Wallabies coach remains tight-lipped.

``We don't need to make a decision publicly about the playmaking role until one hour before the game,'' McKenzie said on Friday.

So let's help him make the call. Read our brief analysis of the three rival flyhalves, plus what they have had to say and then vote for your perfect Wallabies No.10.

QUADE COOPER: The talented No.10 divides public opinion like few else - although the Kiwis seem to all be on the same side: against him. Cooper bore the brunt of Wallabies fans' frustrations after bombing at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, with a serious knee injury impacting on his return to the national team last year.

On the back of his infamous ``toxic environment'' allegations last year, Cooper was overlooked for this season's Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

But he has a firm backer in McKenzie, under whom he has thrived at the Reds - especially on the way to the 2011 Super Rugby title.

COOPER SAYS: ``It's pretty wide open for every position. The boys have come into camp, and every position is hotly contested. No.10 is no different.''

MATT TOOMUA: The Brumbies No.10 has earned plenty of fans in the past two seasons, including Wallabies legend Steve Larkham who has helped guide his development in Canberra.

Toomua is given the best chance of beating Cooper to the playmaker role, with many seeing him as the man to guide Australia into the 2015 World Cup.

An accurate kicker and consummate passer, Toomua combines expertly with Brumbies teammate and first-choice Wallabies inside centre Christian Leali'ifano.

TOOMUA SAID: ``You are lying if you say you haven't thought about, every person here has looked past and seen who they're up against. Thats only natural, but we don't know yet.''

BERNARD FOLEY: The Waratahs No.10 is the bolter in the pack, and short of a couple of injuries at training next week, few would give him any chance of running out in the Wallabies' No.10 jersey at ANZ Stadium.

But you've got to be in it to win it, and Foley is certainly still in the picture.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a standout season for NSW as he became just second Waratah to start and finish an entire Super Rugby season in the sky blue no.10.

A great ball-runner, Foley has even draw comparisons to Wallaby great Stephen Larkham for his ability to choose an unguarded moment to slip through the line.

FOLEY SAID: "It would be a dream to, one, play for the Wallabies. But to play against the All Blacks in Sydney, your home town, would be something really special.''

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/rugby/quade-cooper-matt-toomua-bernard-foley--who-is-the-wallabies-perfect-10/news-story/384c9fda7bea5ff6a77542d678bf1c56