Veteran playmaker Matt Toomua has spoken about his pride in the Wallabies’ indigenous jersey, as both a recognition of First Nations people and a broader reflection of their team and multi-cultural Australia.
Toomua’s reflections on the third wearing of the Wallabies’ indigenous jersey, in a World Cup game against Uruguay on Saturday, came as he also admitted he was using the match as an audition for the Wallabies’ starting no.10, despite being picked at centre.
After wearing a yellow version of the indigenous jersey, designed by artist Dennis Goulding, in 2017 and 2018, the Wallabies received permission to use a predominantly green version as their 2019 World Cup alternate strip, and then further approval to actually wear it against Uruguay in Oita despite there being no clash.
After being stood down for the Wallabies' last use of the indigenous jersey against England in November last year, Kurtley Beale was named at fullback for the team.
Toomua said Beale had spoken several times about the significance of the inclusion of indigenous designs - which represent all the Wallabies of Aboriginal heritage - but it had come to also have significance to the team in a broader context too, given their diverse backgrounds.
The jersey, said Toomua, is a reflection of the blend of cultural backgrounds in the Wallabies team, which has players from Pacific Islander, Anglo and Indigenous heritages, and of an Australian society increasingly shaped along the same lines.
"I think it's probably a lot bigger than we realise for a lot of people," Toomua said.
"And I think it's recognition of quite a few things regarding where we are moving as a society I think it's quite exciting.
"The make-up of the Wallabies team in itself is a lot different culturally than it was say 10 years ago.
"Whilst it's just a different jersey it means a lot to a lot people back at home.
"To be part of that is pretty cool to be honest with you.
"It's something I know I'm very proud of it terms of rugby being one of those teams being used as a vehicle to try and get a bit of change which is nice.
"It is very much indigenous art and an indigenous jersey...but it is representative of the fact society is changing and very much in a sport that was seen as being an upper class white collar sport in the past.
"To see an indigenous jersey filled with a team full of brown guys is kinda cool and kinda different.
"That's just where society is at the moment. To be at the forefront of that as a Wallaby is quite a proud moment personally."
Toomua, who is of Samoan heritage, said Beale had been an influential voice in relaying the importance of such a visual recognition for First Nations peoples on a national jersey.
"We're very fortunate to have Kurtley in the team and he's shared with us quite a lot of stories of what it means in getting recognition for the first people of our country," Toomua said.
"We have a chequered history there and to get that and start getting that recognition is quite exciting.
"As a person who is a player and supporter of rugby, I'm proud that rugby is at the forefront."
After coming off the bench with good impact at no.10 in the first two World Cup games, Toomua has finally landed himself a start against Uruguay but in the no.12 jersey.
It is the price paid for having the dreaded "utility" value but Toomua said he wasn't fazed about a switch to centre for the Uruguay game, which will see the old Brumbies backline of 2015 re-united: White, Leallifano, Toomua and Kuridrani.
"I have said it a few times and I genuinely mean it, there is not too much difference in the way we play, with the halves, 10 and 12," he said.
"So the transition is a bit easier than it might be in the past."
Toomua said while he's happy to play a role, he's also a competitor and always prefers to start a game than come off the bench.
And so he was up front about the fact he's viewing the Uruguay game as a chance to coach Michael Cheika he's worth a shot as the Wallabies' starting no.10.
"Yeah, a little bit if I’m being honest," Toomua said.
"We’ve chopped and changed a little bit there for various reasons and my goal is always to get a starting spot. Samu has done a good job at locking down that 12 spot so there is.
"Because of the way we play it might be a bit different that auditioning with the 12 on the back for a ten jersey but I think it’s very much relevant.
"We’ll see, hopefully I can put a good performance together and push my case for it."
Cheika said earlier in the day that he was comfortable with chopping and changing his halves partnerships, but did concede that Bernard Foley had been sub-par against Wales.
"At 10, we've got good talent," Cheika said.
"We know that Bernard, I think that he struggled a little bit on the weekend, no doubt about that, and Christian, he found his feet pretty well in the Test matches this year.
"Matt Toomua's played very well there as well in finishing for us.
"Bernard is working hard to get himself back into the team.
"He's been training hard and he did some good things on the weekend. Other things he'd want to improve on.
"Christian has been looking to build on his Fiji performance as well, and we've got Matty there too.
"They're all doing their best in those positions and we feel comfortable with the way we're choosing at the moment as we build through the tournament.
