Source : ABC NEWS
Given the depth Australian rugby enjoys in the wing position, it may appear Corey Toole faces an uphill battle if he’s to force his way into the Wallabies squad for the British and Irish Lions series.
If current form — and not past performances — is to count, however, Toole must be considered a contender.
Toole has been outstanding on the flank for the ACT Brumbies in their charge to third place on the Super Rugby Pacific standings.
He scored two tries in Saturday’s 24—0 win over Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe, both efforts showcasing his blistering speed.
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Toole has six tries for the season and sits second in the competition when it comes to clean breaks (14).
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham is convinced Toole is playing well enough to earn a Test debut this year.
Whether Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt shares the same confidence in the 25-year-old remains to be seen.
NSW Waratahs winger Max Jorgensen appeared to be a certain starter for the Wallabies until he suffered a syndesmosis injury against the Hurricanes in round seven.
Jorgensen is still a chance to return before the end of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season.
Along with Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway finished 2024 as a starting winger for the Wallabies and he’s done little wrong with the Waratahs this year.
And Filipo Daugunu — when fit — has impressed for the Queensland Reds, playing on the wing and in the centres.
But Toole should be in the selection conversation based on his Brumbies form, given he’s a constant threat in attack with his finishing ability.
Brumbies’ usual suspects stepping up
Rugby fans closely monitoring the Brumbies wouldn’t be surprised they’re sitting inside the top three on the standings through 10 rounds.
Several Brumbies players could be considered the best in their position among the four Australian teams so far this season.
Skipper Allan Alaalatoa is the form tighthead prop, hooker Billy Pollard has been a stand-out and Nick Frost is the pick of the Australian locks.
Meanwhile, Rob Valetini is looking menacing in the back row since he returned from injury, loosehead prop James Slipper is putting pressure on Wallabies incumbent Angus Bell, and Len Ikitau has already been labelled the “best defensive outside centre in the world” by his coach Larkham.
The Wallabies’ selection process will be competitive ahead of the one-off Test against Fiji and the visit from the Lions, with each of the Australian teams positioned inside the top six on the Super Rugby Pacific standings.
The Brumbies, though, can expect to be prominent among discussions as Schmidt looks to put together the squad he thinks can topple the Lions.
Waratahs desperately missing Gordon
If you’re a slave to stats, you wouldn’t be shocked the Waratahs went down to Fijian Drua 28—14 at Lautoka’s Churchill Park on Saturday.
After enjoying the high of beating the Chiefs (21—14) the previous week, the Waratahs crashed back to the earth with a thud.
They had less possession (43 per cent) than the Drua, committed more turnovers in attack (19—15) and were on the wrong side of the penalty count (10—8).
Nine of those penalties were given away in their own half.
They also missed 40 attempted tackles, lost five line-out throws and could only manage seven entries inside the Drua’s 22, compared to the home side’s 18.
But what hurt the Waratahs the most against the Drua was a lack of leadership.
They were without Bell, Rob Leota and Taniela Tupou due to the national rotation policy. However, the player they missed the most has been on the sidelines for much of the season.
Jake Gordon (centre) has been sidelined since injuring his knee last month. (Getty Images: Matt King)
Captain and scrum half Jake Gordon has not played since sustaining a right knee (medial ligament) injury in the Waratahs’ 34—10 home win over the Western Force in round four.
In his absence, the Waratahs have returned a 2-4 win-loss record and are clinging to sixth place on the standings.
Gordon is adept at piloting the Waratahs’ attack and his experience provides a calming influence at clutch moments.
This isn’t a knock on his replacement Teddy Wilson who, at this early stage of his career, isn’t ready to act as the senior hand when a match is on the line, despite his impressive skill set.
Schmidt is clearly a fan of what Gordon brings to the table, having started him in nine of the Wallabies’ 13 Tests last year.
Queensland Reds co-captain Tate McDermott is the frontrunner to be picked as scrum half against the Lions, but Schmidt would dearly love to have a fit Gordon among his selection options.
White shows his value for the Force
Even if concerns remain about Gordon’s fitness ahead of the first Lions Test in July, the Wallabies are well stocked in the crucial scrum half position.
Aside from McDermott, Nic White is a genuine contender, with the veteran nine having been a valuable contributor to the fifth-placed Western Force’s spirited campaign this season.
White played key roles in setting up the tries scored by Bayley Kuenzle and Mac Grealy in the Force’s thrilling 17-17 draw with the Hurricanes in Perth on Saturday night.
His sound decision-making underpinned the long ball he sent to Grealy close to the Hurricanes’ line, cutting out six players to find the Force fullback on the right edge.
Nic White was among the Force’s best in their 17—17 draw with the Hurricanes. (AAP: Richard Wainwright)
It wasn’t a blemish-free performance from White, who missed four tackle attempts, but he gave a solid account of himself in attack when facing his opposite number Cam Roigard, before being forced from the field in the 63rd minute following a head knock.
Who knows, White’s guile may have proved the difference for the Force when the match entered super-point extra time.
White, who turns 35 in June, was chosen by Schmidt to start at scrum half in three Tests in 2024 and has 71 caps to his name, so he’s a known quantity.
His performances this season for the Force have been strong enough to earn a mention at the Wallabies’ selection table closer to the Lions series.
Tizzano holds up against Hurricanes
Just like the Force’s Carlo Tizzano, Du’Plessis Kirifi has been turning heads for the Hurricanes at openside flanker this season.
Their battle was one of the plot lines in Perth and although All Blacks hopeful Kirifi won via a “points decision”, Tizzano again showed he had developed into a world-class seven.
Although rattled in a bone-crunching tackle at one stage, Tizzano’s improvement with ball in hand was illustrated when he helped drive the Force downfield in a brilliant set-play off a line-out in the first half.
Carlo Tizzano produced another solid display for the Force against the Hurricanes. (AAP: Richard Wainwright)
He was a constant pest at the defensive breakdowns he hit and tallied 22 tackles in another superb all-round performance.
As this column has previously argued, the Reds’ Fraser McReight deserves the first crack at the starting openside flanker role when the Wallabies face the Lions.
Tizzano is building a case for inclusion in the match-day squad, however, even if it leaves the Wallabies short of a reserve forward who can cover multiple positions.
