Corey Toole, who hails from Wagga Wagga, is set to debut for the Wallabies in their match against South Africa this Saturday evening in Cape Town. Head coach Joe Schmidt has drawn parallels between the winger and some of the Springboks’ most dangerous backs.
Toole, an Olympian who represented Australia in the Sevens at Paris 2024, has risen through the ranks from the ACT Brumbies to secure his first Test start. He will take the left wing position, replacing Dylan Pietsch, who suffered a fractured jaw during last weekend’s victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park.
This marks one of three alterations to Schmidt’s starting fifteen. Rob Valetini will return to the number eight position, taking over from captain Harry Wilson. Additionally, Tom Robertson will start as loosehead prop, following James Slipper’s return home due to HIA protocols.
Schmidt noted that Toole’s shift from sevens to the Test arena presents a significant learning opportunity, but he commended Toole’s progress since joining the Wallabies squad.
“Corey is a fantastic young man. He has transitioned from the sevens program, which is a path that several South African speedsters have also taken, having participated in both sevens and fifteens. He is adjusting well to the game, and this experience will be a substantial learning process for him,” Schmidt stated when questioned about the ‘fastest player in Australian rugby’ – who has been recorded at 10.2 metres per second.
“We’ve had players with similar speed, such as Derby Lancaster, who also came from sevens and is part of our extended group. The goal is to develop their game and help them adapt from sevens to fifteens. There is less space to operate in, and proficiency in the contact area is crucial. Corey has been dedicated to improving in this area.
“He has shown increasing improvement in contesting for the ball in the air. His speed gives him that advantage in elevation. While no one may match Cheslin [Kolbe]’s elevation, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin are excellent examples when considering speed and size.
“This week, Canan Moodie is starting against us. He is a taller young player, but also very athletic. Therefore, the aerial contest will be highly competitive. It was an area we didn’t dominate at the beginning of last weekend’s Test match, which allowed them to gain momentum and made things challenging.”
Schmidt further clarified his decision to start Toole over the more experienced Kellaway, despite the importance of the game.
“Andrew Kellaway has likely played as much as any other back for us, particularly in the 23 and often as a starter last year. I spoke with Andrew, and we felt that starting would provide Corey with the best opportunity, as it’s easier to integrate him than having him come off the bench. He gets more repetitions during training.
“This was also a consideration last week, in terms of integrating someone and ensuring they are as prepared as possible. With James O’Connor last week, we didn’t bring him off the bench for his first game in his kind of reincarnation as a Wallaby, because we wanted him to get the flow of the week.
“And so while this week has been reasonably compact by the time we travelled down from Johannesburg, I believe Corey has performed very well thus far.”
