Noah Lolesio

Noah Lolesio (LOW-le-SEE-ooh), a young, classy all be it developing fly half, has become a victim of consistency, or lack thereof in Wallaby selection policy.

Hailing from the Gold Coast, Lolesio was a rugby star during his secondary schooling years at The Southport School. He represented Australia, as an inside centre, at both Schools and U20s level. Lolesio moved to Canberra in pursuit of a professional career and landed on his feet when he signed with the Brumbies. Cousin to All Black #1126 Francis Saili, Lolesio guided the Tuggeranong Vikings to the 2018 John I Dent Cup win and then went on to play an integral role in the franchises’ 2020 Super Rugby AU championship win.

Not yet 21, Lolesio was handed one of the toughest initiations in Test rugby when coach Dave Rennie chose him to start at flyhalf against New Zealand in Sydney. In 2021, Lolesio started the first six Tests - highlighted by his nerveless 3rd Test, 79th minute penalty to win the home series against France - before he was unceremoniously cast aside for the return of Quade Cooper. Lolesio was then a “shock omission” from the end-of-season from Spring Tour: “He needs to put on a little bit of muscle mass and deal with the physical nature of having to defend at 10,” Rennie said. “He’ll work on getting more explosive and acceleration, trying to get more distance in his kicking game and this is going to give him time to do that.” However, Lolesio did earn a late call-up for the tour when Cooper withdrew due to his Japan club commitments.

The following season Lolesio delivered his finest performance when he steered the Wallabies to a 25-17 victory over the Springboks in Adelaide. Lolesio had a hand in each of the three tries and Rennie praised his game management. Unfortunately, the return match loss in Sydney seven days later saw Lolesio left out of the match day squad for the two Bledisoe Cup fixtures and a recall to the number 10 jersey for 33-year-old Bernard Foley.

Highlights

2017 Represented Australian Schools, at inside centre and outside of Will Harrison, against Fijian Schools and New Zealand Schools.

2019 Represented Australia at the 12th annual World Rugby U20s Championship in Argentina

2020 Lolesio won his first Test cap at fly half in the third Test, 5-43 loss to New Zealand in Sydney. A week later he earned a second cap, off the bench, in the 24-22 fourth Test win over the All Blacks at Suncorp.

2021 He started the first six Tests of the year at fly half before Quade Cooper returned to guide the Wallabies to five successive wins. Lolesio’s final cap was won off the bench against England at Twickenham.

2022 Lolesio started all three home Tests against England as well as both Rugby Championship matches against South Africa. He played in three of the five Spring Tour fixtures - against Scotland, Italy and Wales.