Toomua hopes to keep 10 jersey

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MATT Toomua knew the moment he was subbed off in his Wallabies debut that he was ready for Test football, and now hopes to be given a long-term run wearing the most problematic jersey in Australian rugby.

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With Toomua, Quade Cooper, James O'Connor, Kurtley Beale and Berrick Barnes all having worn the Wallabies No.10 jersey in recent times, there is little certainty around who the solution is.

The only certainties under new coach Ewen McKenzie is that O'Connor won't be considered for it, because he is now seen as an outside back, and eventually an inside centre, and Barnes won't have a chance to wear it until he returns from a stint in Japan in 2015.

Toomua made a slow debut in the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, but showed better signs in Wellington last weekend when he reverted to a more natural running game.

That improvement would ordinarily be enough for a two-Test five-eighth to be given another chance but already there is speculation McKenzie could start with Cooper in a fortnight at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

"Truth be told I was a little bit disappointed with the first game, but I wasn't overly concerned - it was my first Test match," Toomua said.

"I knew when I came off the field; I said to myself, `You can play at this level'.

"I felt I improved over the two games.

"In the first game we played a lot differently at the Wallabies than we do at the Brumbies, so a lot of that was adapting to a new style.

"I realised after the game that the strengths that got me in the team is something I've got to show as well, running, taking on the line.

"I felt it would be an easier transition, because it is a natural part of my game, taking it into contact.

"It's a process, you don't play two games and say it's there.

'I would like to say the combination (with halfback Will Genia) is building, hopefully I will get more chances."

Given McKenzie's history with Cooper at Queensland, doubts will remain about Toomua's place in these early days.

"I never feel my place is certain, and that is the same in Super Rugby," Toomua said.

"You do think things, but you can only worry about your performance.

"It is natural to think, 'Will I be picked, or will I not?'

"Obviously I want to start, and continue starting. That goes without saying.

"I am more thinking from the first game to the second game, I improved a lot.

"What Ewen has in mind, we will find out next week.

"There are two schools of thought; consistency in selection can help in building momentum and improvement, but it can in a sense bring complacency.

"I have always preferred to have competition for spots, it keeps you on your toes.

"I know that it has benefited my game, being selected at the Brumbies and Jake showing faith in me.

"I don't want to shoot myself in the foot to say that shouldn't happen for the Wallabies as well.

"Most guys will argue it helps being selected week in, week out.

"But it is what's best for the team."

The shock selection McKenzie's first Test team, Toomua now reflects on his opening two international games - both defeats to the All Blacks - with confidence.

"It has been a whirlwind few weeks, add the Super Rugby final as well, making my debut and then Saturday night," he said.

"It is a different kettle of fish.

"I felt I could definitely compete after that first Test. Everything is high quality.

"The first game was a little bit of the unknown, not knowing if I was up to it.

"Getting out of that, I realised I could offer a lot more than I did.

"I felt a lot more confident on Saturday, I made good improvement, I learned a lot from the first week.

"In saying that, we wanted to win and we didn't, so that disappointment is gelled with my personal development."

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