ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The Matt Toomua Falcon against the All Blacks

BY Grant Constable  ·  Tuesday Aug 20, 2013

As seen in the match highlights on Sunday, Matt Toomua’s Wallaby debut will be remembered as a 47-29 loss to the All Blacks, and for a rather comical moment midway through the first half that resulted in him face down in the turf.

Ironically it’s the Australian’s that love the good old Falcon – when a ball hits a player on the head – but it was one of their own on the receiving end after New Zealand scrumhalf Aaron Smith failed to get any height on a clearing kick.

In fact if Toomua had gone for a proper charge down, rather than turn his back on it, a try might have been the result. It summed things up on a night when nothing went right for the hosts.

Quade Cooper, who Toomua was picked ahead of, found it quite amusing from the bench, although in fairness neither player impressed on what was a rough night in Sydney.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen had a dig at Wallaby counterpart Ewen McKenzie after the game, hinting that he himself probably isn’t sure where to turn ahead of Saturday’s Wellington game.

“I felt both of them went OK. Both of them are good players,” Hansen said of Toomua and Cooper, the latter having been booed by New Zealand fans for the last few years.

“I don’t pick the Australian teams. I think they are both good players, but I am just happy I have got Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden… and Beauden Barrett for that matter.

“All five of those people are all very good rugby players, and four of them are New Zealanders.”

You can view more classic falcons in the Related Posts below the video

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit's real reason for NFL move...

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    George Ford falls victim to the kickers curse...

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

View All

Funnies

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All

Amateur

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 131 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

View All