But the 24-year-old, known as ‘Pup’, finally feels ready to lead the Brumbies’ bid for a Super Rugby title as he shoulders more responsibility in the the biggest year of his career.

Coming back from a knee reconstruction last season, Toomua was anxious it could buckle under the rigours of professional rugby.

“I went in with a lot of trepidation last season. I wasn’t sure how I’d go. I had questions about whether I was good enough to excel,” Toomua said.

“But this year I’ve got a lot more confidence, that makes a lot of difference. I’m excited, I know I can make a difference in the team.”

With Brumbies star Christian Lealiifano injured until at least round five, Toomua’s responsibilities increase, especially to start the season.

Toomua’s career has had its own highs and lows since he was a schoolboy. Wallabies flyhalf Quade Cooper beat Toomua for the Queensland Schoolboys’ No.10 jersey when they were teenagers, but Toomua responded by leading a Queensland Second XV to the national title.

He arrived at the Brumbies as a 17-year-old and played a back-up role behind Matt Giteau and Lealiifano for the early parts of his career. Every time Toomua was poised for a “breakout season” injury hit.

“The harder times make you stronger. I’ve sat and watched a lot of rugby, I think that makes me appreciate it more and guards against getting complacent,” he said.

“You can do all the positive self-affirmations you want, but nothing makes up for just getting out there and playing, it changes everything.

“I don’t know if the self-doubt ever goes away. What changes is how you cope with it and handle it.

“You get used to dealing with it and you just have to remind yourself you’ve done it before. It’s easy to fall back, it’s about how you pick yourself up.”

Toomua played for the Wallabies for the first time in a mid-week uncapped match against Cardiff in 2009. He lasted just 110 seconds before he broke his jaw.

Toomua says he “gambled”, by giving away all of his Wallabies memorabilia, jerseys included, because he wanted “a real one”.

Toomua got that chance last year and made his Test debut against New Zealand in August.

“I gave the jerseys away as presents. I always told myself I’d get a real one eventually. But when I got injured in 2012 I thought about calling people up to get them back,” Toomua joked.

“That injury rocked me. I wasn’t sure how things would go. I always thought 2012 was my year I could stake a claim so I went into 2013 not expecting much. That mentality helped me to relax.

“The goal for me was to always play a Test match. I hoped one day I would, it was a bit of a gamble but one I wanted to make.”

While Stephen Larkham takes over from Jake White as head coach this season, the former Wallabies flyhalf has always been a mentor to Toomua.

“We sit through my game every week and he shows me what I can do. Bernie [Larkham] understands things that other coaches might not pick up on,” Toomua said.

“Hearing him say he thinks I can play for the Wallabies ... I had my self-doubt but I trusted him.”

Toomua formed a strong combination with Quade Cooper on the Wallabies’ spring tour of Europe.

A hamstring cut short his tour, but Test coach Ewen McKenzie backed Toomua to get even better this season.

“I’ve been really impressed with him as a person and a player,” McKenzie said.

“I imagine he will approach this year with a greater understanding of where he fits into the Australian rugby scene ... you’ve got to carry a little bit more in the backpack in terms of expectations now.”

Wallabies flanker and former captain David Pocock remembers Toomua’s ill-fated game for Australia in 2009.

“I remember when I was at school, I’d heard a lot about him and he’s always had the weight of expectation,” Pocock said.

“But he’s got confidence now in the way he directs the team around the park. Off the field he’s also taken on a leadership role. When you’re the next big thing ... there’s pressure.

“Some don’t go on, that’s why it’s great to see Matt persist and I’m really excited to play this season with him.”

Toomua’s not satisfied with his 10-Test cameo last year. Having played at inside centre, he wants to prove he can be a long-term flyhalf for Australia.

“I don’t want to only have a handful of Tests, I’d love to forge a career and be a good player, not just making up the numbers,” Toomua said.

“After my first couple of Tests I thought it wasn’t much above me, I want to have a crack at international level.

“I’m hungrier now than I was this time last year. Having a taste has reinforced how much I love it.

“Last year was my first full year, I’d like to think I’ve got a lot of improvement in me and a Super Rugby title is the goal.

“I feel like we’re on the brink of something special in Canberra and Australian rugby. I want to be a part of it.”