When he wasn’t cracking jokes about opposition England players, Matt To’omua could provide an insight into how they might attack the Wallabies in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
Former Leicester star To’omua shapes as an important figure for Australia heading into Saturday’s match at Oita even though he has been unable to crack the starting XV.
The versatile back returns to the reserves bench role, where he made an impact in the opening pool games against Fiji and Wales.
Having spent the last 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 firstly delivered some off-field observations of 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 this weekend but believed it will 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 was expected to bring a more in-your-face threat after being moved closer to the action at inside centre.
“Manu is a name that sticks out for a lot of reasons, 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 however I am sure they’re working out ways to give him some ball one-on-one at full steam.”