How Lolesio reacted when told he was starting 6 minutes before kick-off
Noah Lolesio aims to further repay coach Dave Rennie’s faith after his rollercoaster rugby career hit another high in the 14-man Wallabies’ breakthrough first Test win over England
The 22-year-old playmaker was a last-minute inclusion in the starting side when playmaker Quade Cooper injured his calf during the warm-up at Perth Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
Lolesio says it may have worked in his favour, with little time to get nervous about the magnitude of his task as Australia strove to end an eight-game losing streak against the old foe.
After a shaky start with more injuries and a red card for lock Darcy Swain rocking the Wallabies, the five-eighth helped straighten up the attack to steer the side to a heroic 30-28 victory to open the three-Test series, heaping more pressure on England coach Eddie Jones.
His goal-kicking proved decisive, booting six from six for a personal haul of 15 points.
“I felt a lot more relaxed before I was told I was going to start which helped,” Lolesio said on Sunday as the team prepared to fly to Brisbane for game two on Saturday.
“I was pretty shocked when Rens (Rennie) gave me the tap of the shoulder saying that I was starting.
“It’s unfortunate for Quade, I know that would have been a tough call for him.
“I just grabbed it by the horns and tried to do my best for the team and it took me a while to find my groove in the game, but I’m just happy we got that win.”
Lolesio was left shattered last month when a poorly-timed drop kick in the dying minutes was charged down, leaving the Brumbies just short in their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Blues.
With nine Tests now under his belt, he was delighted to stand up in the big moments at Optus Stadium, rating it as a career highlight.
“I feel like I’m learning every game – I’m still so early in my career,” he said.
“But I never want to be complacent and I always want to be willing to learn.
“Obviously that semi-final sucked and my professional rugby career has been a rollercoaster and it’s pleasing…as a bright side.”
Lolesio said it was also “pleasing” that Rennie backed him to step up in place of Cooper, ahead of veteran James O’Connor, who came onto the bench.
“I’m just very privileged that he backs me but in saying that I’ve got to put the work in too.
“I can take confidence out of that but at the same time I won’t be complacent because I know I’ve got to be a lot better, especially in that first half to put the team in a better position.”
Cooper will undergo scans in Brisbane on Monday but was still limping on Sunday and looks unlikely to play in the Suncorp Test encounter.
The Wallabies allowed two late tries in the final three minutes which flattered the visitors and Lolesio said the end didn’t sit well with his team.
“We were definitely disappointed with how we let those late two tries in because the scoreboard would have looked a lot a lot nicer so we will look at that defensively and we’ll be better.”
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
3 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
3 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments