Quade Cooper to face off with ‘physical’ Matt Toomua in battle for Wallaby No.10 in Brisbane

IT has been billed as a battle for the Wallabies No.10 jersey and Quade Cooper says he’ll be ready to go when he takes on Matt Toomua in Brisbane.

Super Rugby. Queensland Reds Vs Western Force at Suncorp Stadium. Quade Cooper caught the ball. Photo: Josh Woning.

IT has been billed as a battle for the Wallabies No.10 jersey and Quade Cooper says he’ll be ready to go when he takes on Matt Toomua on Friday night.

Cooper’s Reds host Toomua’s Brumbies in a blockbuster Super Rugby clash that also shapes as a crucial Test trial, with Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie attending the match at Suncorp Stadium.

“Every week’s a battle for the Wallabies No.10 jersey, for any Wallabies jersey,” Cooper said in an exclusive interview on Rugby HQ.

“All the guys want to put their best foot forward, and I know that Matty will be no different. He loves representing his country just as I do.News_Rich_Media: George Gregan and Nick McArdle preview Friday's clash between the Brumbies and the Reds.

“I’ve got to make sure come Friday night I’m ready to go on and off the field and then I put my best performance in for my team. That’s all that I can focus on.”

Cooper and Toomua played alongside each other on last year’s spring tour, but both have made no secret of the fact that they want to be wearing the gold No.10 jersey.

The pair has clashed since their schoolboy days and the Reds playmaker reckons he knows what to expect from the Brumbies ace renowned as much for his tough tackling as his scheming around the field.

“I always know it’s going to be physical, he’s a very class player,” Cooper said.

“Every time I come up against him I know it’s going to be a tough night at the office.News_Image_File: Matt Toomua (r) made his Wallabies debut last year.

“Playing against the Brumbies, they’re a class team. They’re at the top of the Australian conference and right up near the top of the ladder.

“I know it’s going to be a tough game against Matty but those are the challenges we look forward to.”

Cooper v Toomua isn’t the only battle for a potential Wallabies jersey, with props James Slipper and Scott Sio, halfbacks Will Genia and Nic White and wingers Chris Feauai-Sautia and Joe Tomane also going head to head.