Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies two team tactic makes training more intense, says Matt Toomua

​SPLITTING into two separate starting teams has escalated the intensity of competition ​at Wallabies World Cup training, according to Matt Toomua.

Australia's centre Matt Toomua attends a training session, on September 15, 2015 at the University of Bath, three days before the opening match of the Rugby World Cup 2015 between England and Fidji at Twickenham stadium. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU

​SPLITTING into two separate starting teams has escalated the intensity of competition ​at Wallabies training ​in​ the World Cup and will help lift the form of the entire Australian squad.

That’s the view of playmaker Matt Toomua, who was one of the few to be given a role in both of the Wallabies’ opening World Cup matches against Fiji and Uruguay.

Coach Michael Cheika picked a World Cup squad that was essentially two 15-man starting sides, in order to cope with Australia’s first two matches falling inside five days.

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An entirely different starting XV will take the field against Uruguay than the one selected to play Fiji in Cardiff, and Toomua is set to back up from the bench of the opening game and start at centre against the South Americans at Villa Park in Birmingham.

“You’ve got some tough games within four days — it’s very hard for a lot of guys to back up for that. It makes a lot of sense. We’ll see a bit more fruit to it over the next few days,” Toomua said.

“But it’s made training really competitive. We’ve genuinely competed in those two teams a lot, so I think the combinations hopefully will be ready to go.

“There is a lot of competition in the squad. Training has been quite competitive. It hasn’t just been a walkover.”

An all-important clash with England follows the Uruguay clash and assistant coach Stephen Larkham said the team picked to play Fiji were a few steps ahead as far selection goes for their trip to Twickenham.

But the competition hasn’t died off, according to Toomua, who said the second squad due to play Uruguay would all still believe they’re a chance to move their way into the top side.

“You’re getting another chance in the Australian jersey and in a World Cup, so it doesn’t matter who you’re playing or if it’s off the bench,” he said.

“The logical thing to think is they have a go, then you have a go, and they pick another time.

“You understand that there are quite a few guys with an early lead, but it is a very competitive nature. Including training — training has been very competitive and I know they’re watching that as well. Plus you never know what can happen throughout a tournament. All sorts of things. When you get a chance to perform, you want the coach to have fond memories of you playing in that jersey.”

Doubts remain about the fitness of Wycliff Palu, who is carrying a hamstring injury. Should he be ruled out of the clash with Uruguay, Ben McCalman would move from no. 6 and Dean Mumm could potentially play flanker.

A starting lock would have to be asked to back up from the Fiji game.

If Palu’s injury looked long-term, Scott Higginbotham or possibly Sam Carter could be the options for a replacement.

POSSIBLE WALLABIES TEAM TO PLAY URUGUAY

Slipper, Polota-Nau, Holmes, Mumm, Skelton, McCalman, McMahon, Palu, Phipps, Cooper, Mitchell, Toomua, Speight, Tomane, Beale.

Res: Moore, Smith, Kepu, Douglas, Pocock, Genia, Ashley-Cooper, Folau

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies two team tactic makes training more intense, says Matt Toomua