Matt Toomua has made a surprise appearance while Will Genia produced strong return in the Bledisloe Cup trial at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval.
Toomua, who on Wednesday signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Australian Rugby and the Melbourne Rebels, started at five-eighth in the Cheika’s Choice team chosen by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, in their 57-12 win over an Australian Super selection.
Toomua kicked three conversions before coming off in the 52nd minute, the same time as Cheika’s captain David Pocock.
Genia came on at halftime for his first game since breaking an arm in the second Test against Ireland in mid-June. He played most of the second half, setting up a try for Jordan Petaia with a neat crossfield kick,
Cheika’s team scored nine tries to two in front of a crowd of 9,373, who had free admission.
Among the most impressive players were two uncapped men, fullback Tom Banks and backrower Isi Naisarani.
Banks was especially impressive in the first half, scoring a try and pulling off two try-saving tackles. He made an impressive ground-gaining run out of defence in the early minutes of the second half.
The outside backs scored all three of the Choice’s first-half tries, with Banks and wingers Jack Maddocks and Marika Koroibete each crossing once .
The forwards bagged five of the six second half tries with Caleb Timu crossing twice.
The trial also marked the return to rugby of Wallabies prop James Slipper, who put in a solid shift in his first hit-out since completing a two-month ban for violating Rugby Australia’s illicit drugs policy.