Matt Toomua now a relaxed competitor after learning from girlfriend Ellyse Perry

TOO few footballers actually look like they are enjoying themselves in the heat of battle. But not Matt Toomua - and he has Ellyse Perry to thank.

Matt Toomua of the Brumbies during the Super Rugby match between the Queensland Reds and the Brumbies. Pic Darren England.

MATT Toomua is at ease carrying his many labels – Wallaby centre, title-chasing ACT Brumbies flyhalf, hat-trick hero and cricket HAB.

There is more to his streak of form than decisive defence and clear thinking in attack because the whole package comes with a smile on the field.

Too few footballers actually look like they are enjoying themselves in the heat of battle.

Not the Brisbane State High product. Where once he might have been overly intense and narrow, he is now at ease.

That all relates to his least known handle as one of sport’s HABs (Husbands and Boyfriends) because of his romance with Australia’s dual sport queen Ellyse Perry.

“I’ve definitely learnt a lot from her. Balance in life is one thing and the fact she just enjoys the game more than anyone I know,” Toomua said.

“I was one of the HABs in the stands watching her bat and bowl against England last summer.

“When we’re together we don’t just sit around talking sport. Getting away from it is important.”

Toomua’s game has gone up two levels since early last year. He is now a core Wallaby and it is reflected in the Australian Rugby Union signing him to a three-year deal to the end of 2017.

His piloting of the Brumbies will be crucial on Friday night in the knockout final in Canberra where the home side can end the two-year title reign of New Zealand’s Chiefs.

Perry has helped Toomua enjoy himself on the field.

His sharp quick tap try ignited the fast-start tone of the excellent win over the Western Force a week ago. He’d netted three by the time he’d taken off on a smart, angled try run at two forwards and then finished another as a support runner.

As significant was his smashing tackle on Force rival Zack Holmes, authority that no other No.10-No.12 playmaker has in Australia.

Asserting himself with the same statement against Chiefs kingpin Aaron Cruden would set Toomua up for another big game.

“When you defend well early, you tend to perform better in attack,” Toomua, 24, said.

“When you get confrontational in defence, that filters though to your attack, you flatten up and get closer to the opposition defence.

“You don’t mind getting flatter and closer to the opposition defence because you’ve already had that physical involvement, and you create more opportunities playing flat.

Toomua knows Cruden well, having first played him in the under-20s World Cup semi-final in Japan in 2009 which New Zealand won 31-17.

“He is probably one of the classiest 10s I’ve played against. I get excited playing the best,” Toomua said.

“I’ve played him a number of times, and he has got the wood over me in most of them.

“His strengths are well and truly what would be considered as key attributes for a five-eighth, and mine are a bit of a 10-12 crossover, which is why I move between the two positions.”

Originally published as Matt Toomua now a relaxed competitor after learning from girlfriend Ellyse Perry