Playmaker Matt Toomua made a shock Australian comeback on Friday night and his display was enough to confirm his Bledisloe credentials, according to coach Michael Cheika.
Toomua signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Rugby AU and the Rebels this week, making him immediately available for the Wallabies.
However, World Rugby’s regulation nine for overseas-based Test players restricts availability to Test windows, the next one of which doesn’t officially begin until the week of August 18.
Toomua was not named in the initial Wallabies trial squad on Thursday but once his contract was confirmed Cheika ultimately decided he was a required player.
It came as a surprise to spectators when Toomua rocked up in the gold kit on Friday night and Cheika said the call was a late one.
“I had to make sure the contract was signed and the deal was done for him to come here and I just wanted to make sure that all that happened before I got anywhere with it,” he said.
“He'd been in and around, been back in Australia for a bit but I didn't know what I was going to do there and I called it last minute because I think it will be good for him to get some time in there especially if he's going to be available for the first competitive match, that being the Bledisloe.
Toomua played 50 minutes at flyhalf and it was enough for Cheika to be convinced that was still a Bledisloe contender.
“We know what Matt Toomua can do, so I think he's fine,” he said.
“Watching him at Leicester he's been great.
“It's really good that he's coming back to Australian rugby for sure.”
The debate over the 13 spot was not quite settled by Reece Hodge in the trial, though Cheika hinted that the race was down to he and Waratahs centre Curtis Rona.
Rona was not available for the squad with the Waratahs’ season only wrapping up last weekend but he has been playing in that jersey all year.
The match overall proved a valuable opportunity for Cheika’s side to bank some game time ahead of the Bledisloe opener on August 18.
“I think what we wanted out of it definitely,” he said.
“I think it's much better than training
“Just the atmosphere of being out here and the anxiety of the crowd and also the opposition that's giving you a lot of grief as well.
“I think just little things in the preparation of the game, the chat that goes on between players and also just getting some younger players that haven't played in our team before some experience at the next level up, just playing with guys and the comms that go along with that.”
Scott Sio was the only injury concern but Cheika said his only danger was missing out on the game time that some of his teammates had to impress the national coaches in competitive positions.
The Wallabies squad will go into camp in Cessnock on Sunday, with the Waratahs contingent to link up with the rest of the group ahead of the August 18 Bledisloe opener.
