The Brumbies changing of the guard at flyhalf has proved a smooth one so far, with young gun Noah Lolesio declaring himself ready for Super Rugby.
Veteran playmaker Christian Lealiifano departed in the off-season and Lolesio got first crack at filling his boots in a trial against the Melbourne Rebels on Thursday night.
Lolseio, who only turned 20 last month, looked comfortable pulling the strings for the first time and will likely start round one against the Queensland Reds next Friday.
“I was pretty nervous before the game but when I got out there it felt pretty natural and normal. I just enjoyed it, it was awesome,” Lolesio said.
“I felt like (coach) Dan (McKellar) wouldn’t have picked me if I wasn’t ready, so I felt comfortable but I learnt a lot as well – mostly around game management.
“I definitely want to stamp my name as the number one and starting 10 and hopefully I did enough.”
The Brumbies lost 157 Test caps in the off-season, including Lealiifano, David Pocock, Henry Speight, Rory Arnold and Sam Carter.
But McKellar was left thrilled after his young guns stepped up to thrash the Rebels 45-14 in Albury.
“I thought Noah was good, he controlled the game well,” McKellar said.
“I think he’ll learn from that first 20-minute period where we did play a little too much in our end but we’ve been guilty of that quite a bit in the past so that’s more a team thing.
“All the young boys were good.”
Lolesio admitted it was surreal lining up against Wallabies and Rebels playmaker Matt Toomua but said he’d grow in confidence as the season progressed, and put his hand up for goalkicking duties.
“I looked up and was like ‘Woah he’s actually there’,” Lolesio said.
“It was awesome. The only big player I’ve played is Quade Cooper so to play Matty Toomua was unreal.”
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Look, I agree he played well at 10 in the NRC. But there’s a huge jump between NRC and super rugby. It isn’t realistic to expect a rookie 10 to come in and excel at super rugby first year.
Mudslider
Guest
Just for more detail on Noah, He has been playing flyhalf for Vikings in the NRC and Jonah Dent Cup all last year and done a fine job, cool head with first feet. The 12 position was for Wallabies U20s team tour. Furthermore he has been Playing alongside many of the new brumbies lads which will feature in 2020... As for Bayley Kuenzle is a sharp flyhalf with good eye for play opportunities and a killer pass, expect to see more of him too. And he runs direct. Brumbies have planned well for this change for a few years now. McKellar is doing a fine job there.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Given he’s primarily played 12 I would suspect it would take him a season or two to really settle as a super rugby 10. Not a bad year for it to be the case though, I think that it will be a bit of a rebuild for the Brumbies along with the Tahs.
jameswm
Roar Guru
That size might help him get out of trouble when needed...
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Reds should be. But the Tahs players will be our to impress their new coach so, who knows.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
He showed some good individual skill, but I didn't actually think he directed the Brumbies that well in the first half. They seemed better organised in the second half. Tonight's trial is going to be great viewing for many reasons. I expect the reds should be more settled and come out on top though.
WallabyJ
Roar Rookie
Positive first signs for the future of 5/8s in Australia. Is going to be the most interesting Super Rugby season in some time with so many youngers and so many super and wallabies spots up for grabs.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Quicker, much bigger boot than Lealiifano, and as you say shows a lot of composure for someone who has only just turned 20. CLL's experience will be sorely missed in the short term but Noah shows a far greater capacity for growth in his game if he adapts well to this level.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Great young lad. Very composed. Personally I reckon CLL was hugely overrated as a player. Great guy and all that but Ponies will actually gain with young Noah being at 10.