Toomua was selected as a bench weapon against Fiji on Wednesday (Thursday morning AEST), but will get his chance in the No. 12 jersey when Cheika rotates the starting line-up for the clash against Uruguay on Sunday. The unusual tactic to the first two World Cup games gives every player an opportunity to press their claims for more game time.

No spot is guaranteed and Toomua hopes his performance will be burned into the coach's memory. "The logical thing to think is they [the Wallabies starting team against Fiji] have a go, then you have a go and they'll pick another team from that," Toomua said.

"You understand there are quite a few guys with an early lead, but it's a very competitive nature. Training has been very competitive and I know they're [the coaches] watching it as well. You never know what can happen throughout a tournament … when you get a chance to perform, you want the coach to have fond memories of you playing in that jersey."

Will Genia, Bernard Foley and Matt Giteau get first crack at the chief playmaking positions of halfback, five-eighth and inside-centre. But if Cheika's plan is put into action after the game against Fiji, they will be rotated out and Nick Phipps, Quade Cooper and Matt Toomua will swap into position. Uruguay is regarded as one of the weaker teams at the World Cup and the Wallabies are trying to find the perfect mix for big pool clashes against England and Wales.

The selection uncertainty and knowing every player has a chance to stake their claim has increased the intensity within the squad. "[Training] hasn't been a walkover, it's something I've definitely noticed," Toomua said. "We didn't know who or what the make-up would be, but we got the idea that it was going to be two different [teams]. It's made training really competitive, we've genuinely competed in those teams a lot so I think the combinations will be ready to go."

The Wallabies will return to Bath after playing against Fiji before moving to Birmingham for the match against Uruguay. They have just three days between games and the rotating squads will allow fresh legs to be injected at Villa Park, the home of English Premier League team Aston Villa. Uruguay have won just two games in three World Cup appearances.

Flanker Sean McMahon said Japan's history-making win against South Africa meant the Wallabies couldn't take Uruguay lightly. "I don't think there's such a thing as a tier one, tier two or tier three team anymore," McMahon said. "You never know what a team is going to come out and put on the field. We'll be going out there thinking we're playing against England, execute our game plan and … do everything to be perfect out there."