1
Corey Toole returns as Brumbies prepare to host Melbourne Rebels
By Finn Morton
Former sevens star Corey Toole is back as one of three changes to the Brumbies’ starting lineup following their win over the Crusaders.
The Brumbies are looking to keep their hopes of a top-two finish alive when they on the Melbourne Rebels at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on Friday evening.
Head coach Stephen Larkham has welcomed Toole back into the run-on side on the left wing, and hooker Billy Pollard is straight back into the No. 2 jersey after recovering from a knee injury.
Wallaby Tom Hooper also returns to the starting side in the second row. Hooper will partner Western Force-bound lock Darcy Swain in the middle row.
James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown and Rob Valetini make up the rest of the starting forward pack with those men all retaining those spots in the First XV.
Ryan Lonergan joins Noah Lolesio in the halves once again, with New Zealand-born centre Tamati Tua joining Wallaby Len Ikitau in the midfield.
Toole starts on the left wing with Andy Muirhead on the right, and in-form Tom Wright will look to replicate last weekend’s two-try heroics after being named at fullback once again.
The Brumbies’ disastrous 46-7 defeat to the Blues last month feels like a long, long time ago. They’ve since gone on a four-match winning run which includes three in Canberra.
If the Chiefs manage to beat the Hurricanes in the earlier game on Friday, then the Brumbies will have an opportunity to jump up into the top two with just one more match to play.
ACT Brumbies to take on Melbourne Rebels
- James Slipper
- Billy Pollard
- Allan Alaalatoa
- Darcy Swain
- Tom Hooper
- Nick Frost
- Jahrome Brown
- Rob Valetini
- Ryan Lonergan
- Noah Lolesio
- Corey Toole
- Tamati Tua
- Len Ikitau
- Andy Muirhead
- Tom Wright
Replacements
- Liam Bowron
- Rhys Van Nek
- Sosefo Kautai
- Cadeyrn Neville
- Luke Reimer
- Harrison Goddard
- Jack Debreczeni
- Ollie Sapsford
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Gloucester Rugby accounts reveal £3 million drop in turnover
3
Exeter Chiefs close to revealing new attack and backs coach
4
Edinburgh face anxious wait over Duhan van der Merwe
5
Latest Comments
The extent to which rugby pundits in NZ rely on their rose tinted spectacles really baffles me. Anton Lienert-Brown has been a good but nothing more player for a few seasons now. For an experienced player he gives a maddening amount of penalties and yellow cards too so I don’t give him any credit for all that experience.
If you had a clean slate and knew nothing about history, the guy wouldn’t be anywhere near people’s choice for 13 (or 12) if you only watch super rugby the last couple of seasons. Bailyn Sullivan / Billy Proctor / AJ Lam / Tavatavanawai to just just a few have all looked miles better than ALB.
How on earth does that end up with people saying he should be in the squad let alone starting. We have to move on from these type of players - he was never a great player and we have so many alternate options.
There is a group of mediocre players that we need to clear out, or at least try other options. We know how limited that group are, now is the time to see if some other talent can step up (the time was last year, but anyway…).
Jacobson, ALB, Papali’i, Christie, Lord, Havili, Reece. Just move on from them all and try for some upside. Thank god Cane/Perenara have finally moved on because they were in this camp too.
Go to commentsI don't think that Razor would have had Mo’unga as back up to anyone! But in his absence DMac definitely deserved to start in Paris.
The system is working well but I hope they've reviewed whether they could have done anything more to retain Mo’unga & Frizell. As you say, could they have been more flexible?
Go to comments