JOKER MAKES SENSE
RUGBY UNION: When he wasn’t cracking jokes about opposition England players, Matt To’omua provided an insight into how Eddie Jones’ men might attack the Wallabies in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
Former Leicester star To’omua shapes as an important figure for Australia in today’s match at Oita even though he has been unable to crack the starting XV.
The versatile back returns to the bench after making an impact in that role in the opening pool games against Fiji and Wales.
Having spent the past three seasons playing in the English Championship, To’omua is well placed to assess the attributes of opponents he knows well.
With a smile on his face, he first delivered some of his off-field observations about the five Leicester players lining up in England’s match-day 23.
“I know all their weaknesses, luckily, and I have been telling everyone,” he said.
“Manu (Tuilagi) is a terrible snooker player, George Ford never pays for a beer, Ben Youngs isn’t even the best rugby player in his family, let alone the country.
“The chicken, Jonny May, very weird, and Dan Cole doesn’t have a personality.”
British reporters lapped up To’omua’s humour before he put a serious slant on his analysis.
He was intrigued by the demotion of in-form five-eighth Ford to the bench for the game, but believed it would spell late danger for the Wallabies.
“He’s been brilliant the last couple of years, but teams nowadays really are using that 23 mentality, particularly at the World Cup,” To’omua said.
“England have the ability to play quite a few ways and you can assume that George will come on and lift the pace.
“I am sure the game will speed up towards the end.”
Powerhouse midfield back Tuilagi is expected to bring a more in-your-face threat after being moved closer to the action at inside centre.
“He is a strong carrier and makes a lot of big plays,” To’omua said. “It is probably trying to shut down his time and space.
“He is at 12 now so it might be a little easier in that sense.”