Brumbies star to snub Wallabies to chase Olympic sevens dream – report
Corey-Toole-Brumbies-and-Australia-sevens-image
Australia’s national sevens team have received a shot in the arm ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris with Brumbies flyer Corey Toole reportedly set to join their ranks for that event.
According to The Roar, Toole, who represented his country on World Rugby’s Sevens Series in 2021 and 2022, is set to return to the shortened version of the game for the Olympics instead of joining the Wallabies squad for their upcoming Tests against Wales and Georgia in July.
He has been in fine form for the Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific this year and is one of the leading try-scorers in that competition after crossing the whitewash on eight occasions.
Among the fastest players in Super Rugby Pacific
Toole was one of the fastest players in Super Rugby Pacific and his incredible speed proved too much for opposing defences throughout the season. That pace should come in handy for Australia‘s sevens team at the Olympics and could help them finish amongst the medallists in Paris.
The 24-year-old’s top speed for 2024 was measured at 10.3 metres per second which is the equivalent of 37.08km/h.
His ability to change direction while at top speed is what makes him dangerous with ball in hand and his searing pace helped him to score 43 tries for the Australian sevens team during the 2021/22 season. He was rewarded with the World Rugby’s Sevens Series’ Rookie of the Year award in 2022.
And during this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign Toole’s speed helped him to score sensational tries against the Rebels, Chiefs and Highlanders.
He spent about a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury but continued where he left off when he returned to action in May and helped the Brumbies reach the Super Rugby’s semi-finals.
His excellent form for the Brumbies has led to him being tipped for a call-up to Australia’s Test squad and former Wallabies playmaker Matt To’omua believes Toole will be a success in the international arena.
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“Yeah, I could see him play for the Wallabies,” To’omua told The Roar. “I don’t think that’s a big statement.
“He’s got some genuine gas, genuine speed.
“Wingers used to be the really quick guys, then it changed to some of the bigger guys, but it’s cool seeing someone with genuine X-factor pace.
“You know if you sling it to him, he’s probably going to beat his opposite. I think it’s really cool for us because he’s different from every other winger we’ve got.”
Similar to Springboks’ pocket rockets
What could work in Toole’s favour is that he is not big in stature and his size is similar to South Africa’s pocket rockets Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, who both played crucial roles in the Springboks’ victorious 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign in France.
“The Springboks are so structured, they’re going to have a massive six and big runners, their midfielders are almost like back-rowers as well, and their wingers are quick,” To’omua added. “It’s nice to have that in our back pocket as well.”
However, with Toole not guaranteed to start for the Wallabies during next month’s mid-year Tests, it is believed head coach Joe Schmidt may have urged him to return to Australia’s sevens side in a bid to make their squad for the Olympics before returning to the 15-man code to challenge for Test selection.
Toole is expected to join Australia sevens head coach John Manenti‘s squad to face Fiji in trial matches this week.