A gutted Matt Toomua is hopeful that he will be fit for the ACT Brumbies' last three games of the Super Rugby season to be a part of a Super Rugby finals bid and push his claims for World Cup selection.
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Toomua injured his ankle in the Brumbies' 30-20 win against the Johannesburg Lions at Ellis Park on Sunday morning Australian time. It was the opposite ankle to the one he injured against the Auckland Blues which kept him out of action for a month.
The Wallabies inside centre will return to Canberra in an ankle brace but remains optimistic about his chances of helping the Brumbies force their way into the Super Rugby play-offs.
Toomua's ankle got caught under teammate Jesse Mogg in the Brumbies' crucial win against the Lions.
"It's definitely not as bad as my right ankle – hopefully I won't miss any games," Toomua said. "It's frustrating, but it's the other ankle so I know I didn't come back too early. The right ankle is well and truly good again. Sometimes that's the cards you get dealt.
"Hopefully I don't miss any games, it's just a part of the game."
Toomua's injury was the only blow to the Brumbies as they breathed new life into their season with a bonus-point win against the Lions.
His involvement was limited to just 25 minutes but he will play a crucial role in the Brumbies' hopes of holding on to top spot in the Australian conference to secure a guaranteed finals berth.
The Brumbies finally showed a clinical edge in attack to run in three tries in the first 25 minutes to leave the Lions shellshocked at their home ground.
Christian Lealiifano continued to impress at flyhalf but is still finding his kicking boots after missing a couple of crucial shots.
The Brumbies ran in four tries to two and now hold a two-point advantage at the top of the Australian conference. That lead could disappear this week if the NSW Waratahs beat the Canterbury Crusaders because the Brumbies have a bye at the weekend.
However, they are set to get prop Scott Sio back into the game-day squad for the match against the Pretoria Bulls on May 29 after six weeks out of action.
Sio would be a welcome boost to the set piece, which struggled at times against the two strongest scrums in the competition.
Toomua said the back line made a point to flex its attacking muscle after the Brumbies relied on rolling mauls and forward play for their tries in recent matches.
The Brumbies finished their two-game tour of South Africa with one win, but secured six crucial points for their finals hopes.
"It was a step in the right direction. We haven't had many four-try bonus points," Toomua said. "We spoke about the backs standing up, a lot of tries have been coming off the maul.
"Having a bit of pride in the back line, you want to be able to score those tries."
The Brumbies have the added bonus of resting players this week with their Super Rugby bye. But results could see them tumble to as low as eighth on the ladder.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham will wait until the squad returns to Canberra before reassessing Toomua's injury and deciding which players suit up for club rugby action this weekend.
AT A GLANCE
ACT BRUMBIES 30 (Tevita Kuridrani, Ita Vaea, Christian Lealiifano, Joseph Tomane tries; Christian Lealiifano 2 conversions; Christian Lealiifano, Jesse Mogg penalties) bt JOHANNESBURG LIONS 20 (Jaco Kriel, Andries Coetzee tries; Elton Jantjies, Ruan Combrinck penalties; Elton Jantjies, Jaco van der Walt conversions) at Ellis Park on Sunday morning Australian time. Referee: Jaco Peyper.
