Tomas Cubelli has been working on mastering more than just the Brumbies game plan since arriving in Canberra but the Argentinian scrumhalf says his newest partner, Matt Toomua, has made it easy.
Toomua and Cubelli will start as the Brumbies’ halves combination in their opening trial against the Waratahs in Wagga this weekend.
Cubelli is still working on improving his English since moving to Australia but said his new teammates had helped him.
“It’s been really comfortable settling in,” he said.
“I’ve been training hard, working hard, running a lot so I want to go on to the field and have fun.”
Cubelli said Toomua had been patient in explaining plays to him on the training paddock.
“We’ve been training together this last week and he’s a great player so it makes things easy,” he said.
“He’s very good with me like explaining the plays and what he wants so I think I’m thankful to Matt and he will be pleasure to work alongside.”
Cubelli said he was also acutely aware of the fierce rivalry between the Waratahs and Brumbies, having been to a Super Rugby match between the sides in 2013.
“They were hating each together on the field,” he said.
“I thought, ‘they play together in the Wallabies (so they’ll be friends)’ but it doesn’t matter.
“I could feel it in 2013 and the boys have been telling there is a big rivalry so that’s one more thing to enjoy I think.”
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham said the result wasn’t necessarily the most important thing he was after.
“We’ve been in this position this time last year going to Wagga,”he said.
“We were in pretty good spirits and ready for games and played against the Highlanders played well but lost in the last 10 minutes.
“What’s important in this game is not necessarily the results but the way we play and the intent we play with.”
