Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg says he’s still hoping to nab one of the final six Wallabies squad spots for the Lions, while his equally impressive teammate Matt Toomua has decided to set his sights on the Rugby Championship.
The duo have been standouts for the Brumbies this year, Mogg cementing the fullback role and five-eighth Toomua bouncing back from 2012’s season-ending knee injury to help put their side at the top of the Australian conference.
However the uncapped Test players were both overlooked for Robbie Deans’ 25-man list announced on May 19 to take on the British and Irish Lions next month.
Mogg, who had previously been included in a provisional Wallabies camp in April, said he was still hoping to nail down one of the final six squad spots to be announced by Deans on June 11.
“Absolutely. But right now it’s not my worry and not in my hands,” he said.
“All I can do is go out there and play well for the Brumbies and whatever comes from that, comes.”
Mogg looked likely to be a part of the squad early in the season after scoring four tries in as many matches.
However a three-game stint on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury followed by a slight slump in form resulted in the 23-year-old being pipped for the fullback role by code hopper Israel Folau.
Mogg said Deans had advised him he still had a chance to make the 31-man squad if he continued to build his game.
“I think it’s more just consistency,” Mogg said.
“But as long as I’m kicking well and running well and defensively in position I’ll be putting my best foot forward.”
Toomua said he wasn’t expecting a late call-up to face the Lions despite James O’Connor being the only person playing flyhalf in Super Rugby picked for the squad.
“That’s probably a bit of perception. In my opinion there are three guys who can play at (flyhalf) and probably others as well,” the 23-year-old said.
“We’ll be comfortable in depth in that position.”
Toomua said his best chance of making the Wallabies would either be in the Rugby Championship starting in August or the Spring European Tour when the Wallabies coaching staff would be more willing to try new things.
“It’s more realistic, to be fair,” he said.
“But it depends on how we go against the Lions. If we win against the Lions, why change a winning formula?”



