New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is considering Noah Lolesio for a Test debut at No.10 in New Zealand next month after the Brumbies playmaker’s eye-catching return from injury in Saturday’s Super Rugby AU finale.
Rennie has played match-maker in his first Wallabies camp, pairing 20-year-old Lolesio with Queensland Reds No.10 and experienced international James O’Connor as roommates in the Hunter Valley.
O’Connor – Once the bad boy of Australian rugby – debuted for Australia as an 18-year-old and can provide unique insight as a 30-year-old now back in favour.
Lolesio and O’Connor could be competing for game time in the Bledisloe Cup opener in Wellington on 11 October, with fellow playmaking option Matt To’omua still recovering from a groin injury suffered in the Super Rugby semi-final.
To’omua and Melbourne Rebels teammates Dane Haylett-Petty (groin) and Jordan Uelese (shoulder) are rehabilitating injuries while Reds backline gun Jordan Petaia (hip) is another injury concern before the Wallabies’ eight-Test stretch across ten weeks.
Rennie said all four were still in the mix to play against the All Blacks next month, and will travel to New Zealand on Friday, but that Lolesio had done everything in his power regardless to demand a debut.
“Clearly we rate him highly, that’s the reason we picked him prior to that final and he hadn’t played for ten weeks,” Rennie said.
“He’s courageous, confident and he made a real difference to the Brumbies.
“It’s another step up here isn’t it.
“He’s impressive though, he’s asking plenty of questions and is rooming with James O’Connor.
“They’ve been talking a lot about the game, about the role and yep, he’s got a chance of starting that first Test and we’ll see how things pan out.”
With time of short supply and a 44-man squad in camp, Rennie selected who shared rooms this week.
He’s also matched captain Michael Hooper with fellow No.7 and former Junior Wallabies skipper Fraser McReight, who impressed in his rookie professional season.
“We always wanted young guys with the older guys, to get a chance to get to know them better, get an arm around them,” Rennie said.
“It’s a big side, easy to go two or three days without speaking to each other, so we’re making an effort and the old boys are getting their arm around the young fellas and showing them the way.”
Double Agent
Guest
Good work Tooly. I knew you'd have some inside contacts to get us the best intel.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Pete: I am not so sure about Lolesio at 10, he was fine in the final when the Brumbies fwds did a lot of work as opposed to the semi. I wonder how he will go when Cane et al are bearing down on him and the Wallaby forwards are struggling at set piece. The AB's will contest everything, scrum, lineout and breakdown so I am hopeful of 50/50 ball but it will depend on the quality of that ball. Nic White has to start to clean up some of the rubbish and give the 10 a chance to do something. If Lolesio thought the final was a fast game, the AB's will be a big step up in speed and support. As always in internationals, it is the D that defines it and that comes mostly from attitude and guts.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
I’ve been looking into the psyche of Deep Dave Rennie. Asking a couple of Kiwis to help by asking those who know him. . He is a good bloke. . He is a bit of a plodder. . Not really an international coach. . He is a good mentor for young players. . Not so good with established players. . He is very stubborn. . He likes to surround himself with yes men. The expectations are that he can hardly fail to improve things.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Based on this season he’s the future number 10 for the Wallabies. Genuine playmaker is what excites me and a good tactical brain. He certainly should get a start at some point this year and would go well with Toomua at 12 if he’s fit. Would have liked to see the Tahs give Donaldson more of a go at 10 over Harrison as he’s more of a natural ball carrier and playmaker than Harrison. Great to see we have some talent coming through who can play 10.
Mumbles
Guest
I`d love to see JOC Simone Petaia and Lolesio in the 23. Toomua misses out entirely.
elysiusrugby
Roar Rookie
Watch the pre-Covid games, he had his hands on almost every try and the brumbies backline was firing. Brumbies play shit while he's injured and he comes back from 2 months off in a final with a MOTM performance. JOC starts playing well once NZ/SA leave, then disappears in the most important game of the season. I wouldn't start him for a Bledisloe but with limited game time he's done more than any 10 in Aus.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Noah is good and has a great future but is everyone just getting a bit ahead of themselves with him??? Bench to ease his way into his international career for sure. For me he has played well but not excellent. I cant see in the year as a whole he has outshone O’connor or toomua overall. We put too much pressure in young players in oz rugby. After a few good games we get way too excited!
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
is joc a better 12 than simone?..absolutely not..
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Considering and actually being selected to start are two very different things at this stage. Personally if Noah is being strongly considered, I wold prefer to see him come off the bench later in the game, when the peressure on him could be a lot less....but that is not a given. Though looking at the strength and depth of NZ rugby in SRA and NRC, one would be betting on NZ being well ahead late in the games v the WB's.
MO
Guest
You could look to sandwich Lolesio between White and JOC and play off 9 with JOC stepping into first receiver a fair bit but ideally you'd want to debut Lolesio off the bench not the starting lineup. White Toomua JOC is still the best way to start. Toomua's strength at 10 with JOC's skills one wider and one closer to Petaia/Hodge.
frisky
Roar Rookie
I agree He seems injury prone. An AB test is the last place to experiment with his recovery.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
I just read that they reckon Petaia will be right to go so every chance he gets played anyway. Wish they wouldn't though, it's just asking for another injury...
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Lolesio is the best #10 we have. He's not great, but Saturday night proved he's better than Jimmy in that position.
PeterK
Roar Guru
If Toomua is injured then Lolesio could be at 10 and JoC at 12. Otherwise JoC at 10 and Simone at 12. I cannot imagine DR starting both Lolesio and Simone together at 10,12 both on debut. TK should be recalled if Petaia is injured but with quarantine in NZ it would have happened already. So that means Hodge or Paisami.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
JOC at 10, Simone to debut at 12? Hodge at 13. Noah to bench?
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
If Toomua is injured and O’Connor starts at 10, then who is at 12? Come to think of that, if Petaia is injured who starts at 13...