ACT Brumbies speedster Corey Toole is putting club before country as he eyes Super Rugby Pacific glory and, hopefully, a Wallabies jersey.
Toole has resisted the temptation to chase overseas riches to remain in Canberra until the end of 2026, firmly believing the Brumbies can snap a title drought that now stretches more than two decades.
“There’s a lot of world-class coaches and players here, so much experience,” he said after signing a one-year contract extension on Thursday.
“Both a lot of international caps and Brumbies caps, so I’m just trying to learn as much as I can off the coaches and also the players.
“There’s a lot of things to work on, but that excites me. I’m really happy to be staying for another year.”
Arguably the fastest man in Australian rugby, the former national sevens star has been instrumental in helping the Brumbies to top of the table and a guaranteed home final in three weeks.
The 25-year-old Wagga Wagga product is sitting second on the season’s leading try-scorers’ list with nine pointers, at an average of almost one a game this campaign.
But while ACT coach Stephen Larkham has lobbied hard for Toole to receive a Test call-up for the looming series against the touring British and Irish Lions, the winger reckons Wallabies selection will take care of itself if the Brumbies keep delivering.
“There’s a lot of talk around the Wallabies about this time of the year, but I don’t want to spend too much time focusing on that,” he said.
“Use my energy and just focus on the Brumbies this year and then play good footy and not look too far into the future.
“We’re in a good spot now and if we can perform well in finals, a lot of Brumbies will be picked in the Wallabies.
“So that’s my main focus.”
The Brumbies have lost a final, in 2013 to the Chiefs, and six semi-finals in the past 11 years since Larkham’s champion 2004 team lifted the trophy.
Toole says the class of 2025 won’t rest until they get their hands on the silverware.
“I think this is our best year yet and hopefully we can go deep into the finals and just keep building year after year and try to win a championship,” he said ahead of this weekend’s bye before a last-round home clash with the Crusaders.
“We’ve made three semi-finals year after year so that’s a positive sign, but we’re still not satisfied with that.
“We want to go one further.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-union/not-satisfied-brumbies-ace-eyes-elusive-super-crown-c-18779655
