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Ex-Wallabies duo agree Noah Lolesio should currently start for Australia
Former Wallabies Tim Horan and Cameron Shepherd agree that flyhalf Noah Lolesio would start for Australia ahead of the likes of Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson if there was a Test tomorrow.
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Lolesio, who played more than 15 matches in Wallaby gold before falling out of favour, has played an instrumental role in the Brumbies’ strong form this season which sees them sit third after 10 rounds.
The 24-year-old has been a general around the field for the Australian powerhouse, which included a try against the table-topping Hurricanes last weekend, and has been sensational off the kicking tee.
For quite some time now, one of the biggest questions yet to be answered by new Australian coach Joe Schmidt is who should start in the No. 10 jersey? Well, Noah Lolesio might just be the answer.
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Tim Horan has picked a new-look Wallabies side based on current form. This is a team that doesn’t include last year’s World Cup skipper Will Skelton.
“This weekend, that’s the side I’d pick – and I tell you what, it’s a big forward pack,” Horan said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
“It just depends on what Joe Schmidt is looking for. Does he want a really big forward pack? Does he want a mobile forward pack?
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“I think Taniela Tupou hasn’t started a lot of matches for the Rebels.
“We both agree on Noah,” Horan continued. “I picked him at the start of the year that he’s the player that has really got to stand up.
“Where we only differ a little bit, I think Tom Wright is the form 15 for the Australian teams and I think Andrew Kellaway is a better winger than Tom Wright is a winger.”
Horan has gone with James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Swinton, and Rob Leota in the tight five, while Rob Leota, , Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini round out the forwards.
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Queensland’s Tate McDermott partners Lolesio in this team, while Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau line up in the midfield. Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Tom Wright are the outside backs.
It’s a strong team but one that looks vastly different to what former coach Eddie Jones selected last year, with Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson seen as the preferred options at first five.
Cameron Shepherd has agreed on eight selections, but would sub in prop Harry Johnson-Holmes, locks Darcy Swain and Izack Rodda, and flanker Liam Wright in the forward pack.
Shepherd, who played at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, would also go with veteran Nic White at halfback, and Tom Wright switching places from fullback to wing for Melbourne’s Andrew Kellaway.
“To add some thought to my selections, I really want to see Joe Schmidt create a back three that are completely interchangeable,” Shepherd added.
“I want to see them being able to replace each other and I totally understand defensively in certain situations they’re going to be where they’re going to be.
“The connection between those three has to be one of the most important parts of Australian rugby.
“Kellaway’s kicking game is slightly better than Tom Wright’s and that’s probably why I prefer him at 15.”
Tim Horan’s current Wallabies XV: James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Swinton, Nick Frost, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Andrew Kellaway, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Tom Wright
Cameron Shepherd’s Wallabies XV: James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Darcy Swain, Izack Rodda, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Andrew Kellaway
Comments on RugbyPass
Well said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to commentsLet’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
121 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
4 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
5 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
121 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
36 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
5 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
121 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
36 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
36 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
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