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Brumbies' X-factor ruled out of quarter-final as team named
By AAP
The setbacks keep coming for the ACT Brumbies ahead of their blockbuster Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final against the Hurricanes with star winger Corey Toole ruled out through injury.
Their biggest X-factor talent joins injured captain Allan Alaalatoa on the sidelines, while gun five-eighth Noah Lolesio will come off the bench on Saturday night at GIO Stadium in Canberra as he returns from concussion symptoms suffered a fortnight back.
It's not the news the Brumbies needed as they try and keep their season alive, tasked with beating a Hurricanes side that boasts a win against them this campaign, albeit in New Zealand.
Ollie Sapsford shifts from the centres to cover Toole's wing, while Jack Debreczeni continues in the halves as Lolesio starts from the bench.
Toole tweaked a calf in their win against Melbourne on the weekend after scoring an impressive try early in the piece.
It leaves them with some serious bench punch, Lolesio set to close the game with Wallabies halfback hopeful Ryan Lonergan who'll come on for starter Nic White.
There's some positive news though, with hooker Lachie Lonergan and prop James Slipper both back to greatly strengthen their front row.
Coach Stephen Larkham admitted losing Toole was a blow, but backed in former New Zealand league talent Sapsford to put in a shift.
"It's disappointing for 'Tooley' to miss out, but he was just not right to go and Ollie has played a lot of rugby on the wing for Hawke's Bay so we know he'll do a job for us," he said.
"This is the time of year everyone plays for and we're in a good place heading into a massive challenge against the Hurricanes."
Toole has played himself into Wallabies calculations with a stunning debut campaign, bagging nine tries in 13 games.
Brumbies: James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright. Reserves: Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Jesse Mogg.
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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