Toole, Lolesio on bench for Brumbies Super semi-final

ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has picked Jack Debreczeni over Noah Lolesio in the No.10 jersey for their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Chiefs.

JACK DEBRECZENI.
JACK DEBRECZENI. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Continuity is key for the ACT Brumbies heading to their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final in New Zealand, staying with Jack Debreczeni at five-eighth in place of Wallabies candidate Noah Lolesio.

Stephen Larkham has also opted to bring livewire Corey Toole off the bench on his return from an ankle injury, keeping makeshift winger Ollie Sapsford in the starting side for their monster clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton.

It's a huge vote in confidence for Debreczeni after his man-of-the-match display against the Hurricanes, his kicking game likely to be vital in controlling proceedings against a fierce Chiefs side.

Larkham said his call wasn't a demotion for Lolesio and pointed to a vital play from their quarter-final win as evidence he's still got a job to do if they're to make the final.

"Jack performed really well and we know that the way that we've been using our subs throughout the year, Noah has got a big part to play in this game," he said.

"If you look at the result that we had on the weekend, had Noah not kicked out from the sideline, we wouldn't be in the situation we're in right now.

"We obviously saw the Reds game we've played against the Chiefs as well, we're well aware of what's coming this weekend and we've got a few strategies in place to hopefully combat all of that."

Toole will provide a true spark off the bench with his pace, Larkham backing in Sapsford to again play a vital role after scoring a try and contributing to the Brumbies' lethal left-hand side.

"Same as the last couple of weeks, we wanted to make sure we had a really good combination at the start of the week, because 'Tooley' was in doubt, it made sense just to keep the combination together," Larkham said.

"We haven't actually got a plan in terms of when I'm going to bring him on the field, but there can certainly be some moments at the back end of the game where hopefully he can ignite the crowd and ignite the team."

The door remains open for Wallabies star and Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa to return from his calf injury should they reach the final, Rugby Australia contributing to the decision to keep him on ice for another week.

The gun prop hasn't played since their round 14 home loss to the Chiefs and had hoped to pass a late fitness test and return this weekend.

Larkham denied Alaalatoa would have risked aggravating his injury and playing if it wasn't a World Cup year.

"There were multiple robust discussions over the last week around how quickly he's turned around his injury," he said.

"It is quite remarkable how quickly he's come through all of the processes we put him through, but we're all in agreement that one more week is going to give him his best prep to perform."