Leicester Tigers centre Matt Toomua has told LeicesterTigers.com that the pressure around each match of the run home this Aviva Premiership season is something the Australian centre loves about playing the game.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Twickenham on Saturday afternoon to face Bath in Round 19 of the Premiership season, Toomua said, “It’s the big games that you play for. You love coming out in a big stadium. Personally, I love that and love the pressure that comes with it - it’s an exciting moment.”
While Leicester’s England representatives have only been back among their Tigers Family for a fortnight, the former Wallabies back has starred in each of the successive four wins in both attack and defence.
Wearing the No.10 shirt in the absence of George Ford, the versatile Toomua helped guide the Tigers victory over Harlequins at Welford Road and away wins over Saracens and Worcester.
However, with Ford back in the fly-half role for the famous victory over Wasps a fortnight ago, Toomua was back to his physical best in the bruising encounter.
Rather than wish he was one step closer to the action, the 28-year-old sees only positives in having the experience and leadership of a player with Ford’s ability.
“George is such a natural leader, it’s easy to follow a guy like that,” he said.
“It’s a big positive and with the way the game is played now, it gives us a few more options on the pitch which can only be a good thing.”
I love the pressure that comes with it
Matt Toomua
Bath have recorded wins over Leicester on two occasions so far this season, including the season-opener for both clubs at Welford Road and an Anglo-Welsh Cup fixture at The Rec, but never achieved three straight victories over the Tigers in a single season.
How do Toomua and his team-mates continue that streak and their winning ways to make it five straight this Saturday afternoon at Twickenham to further improve chances of featuring in this season’s finals?
Simple. They keep it simple.
“We’re not going to overthink it, we need to win the battle up front before we can pull the trigger and use the talent we have in the backline. We have some serious speed out wide and would be silly not to use it,” Toomua said.
“We know we can get in to that top four but we need to ensure we’re continuing to perform.
“Right now, we’re just looking to get better each week.”
