Matt Toomua left Queensland to escape Quade Cooper's shadow, he can now cast his own Toomua's move to Canberra has paid dividends. MATT Toomua left Queensland six years ago to escape the significant shadow of Quade Cooper yet now has the chance to cast his own as Australias latest beam of hope at No.10. No single decision in Thursday's major overhaul of the Wallabies could have established more cred for new coach Ewen McKenzie. Those conspiracy theorists looking for a Reds" bias or a blinkered Cooper infatuation in selections found none. McKenzie plumped for Toomua for his direct running at the opposition, his partnership with inside centre Christian Lealiifano, his jolting defence and his hot form. McKenzie had Cooper's named pencilled in for No.10 five weeks ago. Toomua's finals form in Super Rugby earned him a deserved shot. Where McKenzie has been shrewd and predecessor Robbie Deans daft comes next. Deans didn't even utilise Cooper's skill in any wider squad for the recent British and Irish Lions series. McKenzie has recognised his unique game-breaking ways by including Cooper as a reserve. He is certain to be employed as a weapon in the second half against the All Blacks to keep the Kiwis guessing. Rarely, do Test sides carry two specialist No.10s in their match-day squads because benches are picked for versatility. Instantly, McKenzie has two fly halves hopefully performing and competing. Cooper will start at No.10 during The Rugby Championship, likely against South Africa when his sleight of hand has a track record of rattling their more inflexible patterns. McKenzie promised a different outlook and the steps are being taken with backline attackers everywhere. It comes with no guarantee of success against the world champion All Blacks but he's having a crack. Those who believed the Brumbies (10) and Reds (seven) were the form teams of 2013 saw their players rewarded with the bulk of selections in the Test squad. It will gall NSW rugby followers but they got as many positions (four) as they deserved with Wycliff Palu and Tatafu Polota-Nau injured. Toomua was the Australian Schoolboys fly half in 2007, a time when Queensland had a dubious reputation as the great rugby nursery other Super 14 operations feasted from. The Brisbane State High product signed for the Brumbies because Barnes and a young Cooper were blocking his way to the Reds No.10. I remember Toomua as the quietly spoken Samoan pastor's son who was so relishing his shot as a midweek Wallaby on the 2009 tour of Europe. He lasted all of two minutes against Cardiff when he reeled out of an attempted tackle with a broken jaw. He has worked extremely hard to earn a second coming as a far more seasoned, confident and equipped footballer. The long road is paying off.