Australia’s hopes of medalling at the Paris Olympics look set to be given a massive boost, with Brumbies flyer Corey Toole looming as a likely inclusion.
The Roar understands that Toole, who was named World Series Rookie of the Year in 2022 before making a successful transition to Super Rugby, is set to link back up with the national sevens program instead of joining Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies in July.
His inclusion would be a huge boost for Australia’s hopes of medalling in what is the most competitive sevens field in the sport’s history.
Toole’s speed and finishing would give the men in gold a point of difference.
Without it, Australia lacks the speed.
Corey Toole was Australia’s best finisher in Super Rugby this year. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
But with him, they could quickly emerge as a genuine medal contender despite consistently being in the finals mix.
Indeed, in the same way that Argentina hasn’t been nearly the same side without flyer Marcos Moneta, Australia has missed the genuine gas Toole provides.
In 2024, Toole’s top speed was measured at 10.3 metres per second this year, which equates to 37.08km/h.
It’s that kind of speed that saw Toole score 43 tries during the 2021-22 season to win the World Series award.
By comparison, the NRL’s fastest player in 2023, Ronaldo Mulitalo, recorded a top speed of 37.1km/h.
But it is Toole’s ability to change direction and keep his pace that has blown observers away.
His ability to finish has been second to none in Australian rugby this year too, with the flying winger scoring stunning tries against the Rebels, Chiefs and Highlanders this year.
It’s for that reason several pundits had the 23-year-old at the top of the list to make his Wallabies debut in July.
“Yeah, I could see him play for the Wallabies,” former Wallabies playmaker Matt 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.”
Corey Toole scored nine tries for the Brumbies in 2024 and looks set to return to the Australian Sevens team for their Paris Olympics campaign. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
One of the biggest aspects in support of Toole’s Test aspirations is the use of Springboks wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt Lee Arendse.
While most wingers around the world are hulking giants, the Springboks pocket rockets have brought back the smaller flyers back into fashion and shown there is another way to play the game.
Hitting the scales at 85 kilograms, Toole shares many of the qualities as Arendse.
“The Springboks are so structured, they’re going to have a massive six and big runners, their midfielders are almost like backrowers as well, and their wingers are quick,” To’omua added. “It’s nice to have that in our back pocket as well.”
But with Toole seemingly no guarantee to start for the Wallabies in July, it’s believed Schmidt may have encouraged the Brumbies flyer to try his hand and push for selection for the Paris Games and then return to challenge for Test selection.
With Australian rugby in desperate need for some positive news, the decision could prove a win-win for both the men’s sevens program and, ultimately, the Wallabies.
Toole is expected to link up with Manenti’s sevens side in Fiji, with World Cup Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase also on deck to push his own case for Olympic selection.