JOHANNESBURG: Wallabies playmaker Matt Toomua wants to be a spark that ignites the ACT Brumbies' run to the finals, even though it means changing position.
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Toomua has rushed to South Africa to join the touring Brumbies but, after spending the past four years as the first-choice flyhalf, will shift to inside centre as the team fights to make the Super Rugby playoffs .
Toomua has had a stint in commentary during recovery from an ankle injury and said it had helped him identify some flaws in the game plan ahead of their clash against the Johannesburg Lions.
"It's hard to watch [when the team is losing], a positive is that I'm back and I've got a few games to play well to hopefully assist getting our season back on track a bit," Toomua said.
"I see part of me being back is playing well myself. But the guys have been doing the same thing every week, and if I can provide something different in a kick or help, I think it can be beneficial.
"I've been trying to do that, to get guys up a little bit. I was bouncing around when I arrived."
The Brumbies will slump to their worst run of losses since 2011 f they fail to beat the Lions on Sunday.
Toomua's return at inside centre means Christian Lealiifano retains the flyhalf duties while Robbie Coleman has been shifted to the bench. The positional change should not be a problem, given Toomua has all but cemented his place as the Wallabies' No. 12.
Former Test coach Ewen McKenzie thrust Toomua into the role for a clash against the New Zealand All Blacks two years ago, but the 25-year-old bluffed his way into the position.
"I never told [McKenzie], but when he asked me to play there against the All Blacks the last time I'd worn the No. 12 jersey was when I was 11 years old," Toomua said.
"That was a bit of a baptism of fire. I've always considered myself a purist No.10, but I've found a bit of comfort at inside centre and I quite enjoy it.
"There are new things to think about, I like the change. If there's something else I can bring to the team, I'll do that."
The Brumbies have made minimal changes with their season on the line against the Lions.
Toomua and prop Allan Alaalatoa are the only inclusions to the starting XV with the Brumbies clinging on to a one-point lead in the Australian conference.
Alaalatoa has been called in to hold up the wobbling scrum after it was smashed in a one-point defeat last weekend. The former Australian under-20s prop is in the starting team to take over from Jean-Pierre Smith.
Toomua has a chance to press his claims for a Wallabies' World Cup starting spot as he battles with Christian Lealiifano, Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale, Matt Giteau and Quade Cooper for playmaking duties.
"There's plenty of challenges there and as a selector you probably start looking towards this pointy end of the season rather than early on."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 14
Sunday: Johannesburg Lions v ACT Brumbies at Ellis Park, 1.05am Australian time. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2
Brumbies team: 15. Jesse Mogg, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. Joseph Tomane, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Nic White, 8. Ita Vaea, 7. David Pocock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Rory Arnold, 4. Sam Carter, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Allan Alaalatoa. Reserves: Josh Mann-Rea, Jean-Pierre Smith, Ruan Smith, Jordan Smiler, Jarrad Butler, Blake Enever, Michael Dowsett, Robbie Coleman, James Dargaville, Nigel Ah Wong (two to be omitted).
