Australia's breakout rugby sevens talent Corey Toole has committed to the Commonwealth Games and World Cup after upgrading from his existing loan deal.
Corey Toole has signed a deal to seal his rise from Brumbies development player to Australian rugby sevens linchpin at this year's Commonwealth Games and World Cup.
Toole has taken his chances since being loaned out last year as part of Rugby Australia's new collaboration with Super Rugby clubs.
After four World Series tournaments he leads the series performance tracker on 223 points, has scored the second most tries (21) and leads the offload count (24).
Toole's new contract will see the forward eligible for the remainder of the World Series, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July and September's World Cup in South Africa.
The Aussie men finished fifth at the 2018 Gold Coast Games but will enter the 2022 version confident they can podium given they sit third after four World Series rounds thanks to two second-places.
"I'm really excited to be joining the team on a full-time basis for the remainder of the year and am grateful for this opportunity," the 22-year-old from Wagga Wagga said.
"Every young rugby player dreams of eventually getting a full-time contract so at times I'm still pinching myself.
"I've enjoyed every minute that I've spent with the program so far and am in a privileged position to be able to play a game I love for a living."
Coach John Manenti, who switched roles with women's coach Tim Walsh after a post-Olympics review, said Toole's signing was a confidence-boosting one for a program that been streamlined.
"After a period of uncertainty, it's great to be able to start to expand our program again," Manenti said.
"Corey is shaping up to be a world-class player, and his recent form on the World Series is a testament to his skill, ability and work ethic.
"Corey signing is a great endorsement for the program & where it's heading. We want to be challenging for medals every time we compete and, in the process, develop Super players and Wallabies."
