'Everyone wants to play': Rising star reflects on rivalry with Noah Lolesio
Rising star Reesjan Pasitoa has taken every opportunity to “learn from the best” with both hands throughout his young career.
And the talented Western Force playmaker is just getting started.
After growing up in Western Australia, Pasitoa was given the opportunity to attend one of Australia’s most prestigious rugby schools on a scholarship.
Pasitoa won two GPS premierships with the Nudgee College First XV in Brisbane, as he proved himself to be one of the brightest up-and-coming talents in Australian rugby.
The star pivot inked a deal with the Brumbies while he was still at High School, as he looked to develop his game alongside some of the best players in the nation.
But Pasitoa was locked in an intriguing battle with another emerging star for the starting jersey, which ultimately went to his teammate Noah Lolesio.
Pasitoa was given limited opportunities to shine at Super Rugby level, as Lolesio and Brumbies veteran Christian Leali’ifano were seen as preferred options.
While he agreed that the lack of playing time was frustrating, Pasitoa opened up about what he learnt throughout his time in the nations capital.
“Yeah, yeah for sure (it was frustrating). But I think something that I learnt there is even if you’re not playing, the importance you play in our role of the team,” Pasitoa told RugbyPass.
“If you’re not playing that week, you’ve got to prepare the boys who are playing as best as you can.
“I learnt lots off Christian and Noah as well… planning my weeks and regarding extras and all that stuff.
“Noah was good competition. (I) learned a lot off him and obviously you can see he’s excelled and doing really well.
“Everyone wants to play and I guess that’s just how it is.”
Noah Lolesio quickly rose to superstar status within Australian rugby, as he guided the Brumbies to a Super Rugby AU title and made his Wallabies debut.
Lolesio entered the fray of test rugby against traditional rivals the All Blacks a few years ago now, and hasn’t skipped a beat since.
The star fly-half played a crucial role in the Wallabies’ series win over World Cup favourites France a couple of years ago, in what a coming of age moment for the young gun.
The Auckland-born talent kicked winning penalty goals in the first and third test match, which was the last time Les Bleus lost.
Lolesio only played half of the Wallabies’ test matches last year, and started six of them, but is clearly shaping up to be a future leader of the national side.
As for Pasitoa, he’s coming off his first full season as a matchday regular in Super Rugby after signing for the Western Force.
But a devastating knee injury while playing club rugby in WA, in the final two minutes of that match too, has sidelined him until around the middle of May.
That being said, there’s no resentment there or love lost between the two good mates.
Pasitoa is looking ahead to the day where gets to “be there with him battling it out” for the Wallabies’ starting jersey.
“He’s a good dude, always try and catch up with him… it’s cool to see him do so well on the big stage. Hopefully one day I can be there with him battling it out,” he added.
“It’s cool being able to real close to someone but still being able to push each other and don’t have that envy for each other.
“If he makes it then I’m proud as, and I would think vice versa as well.
“It probably makes things easier being mates I reckon… we can be honest with each other and critique each other and we won’t take it the wrong way.”
Australian rugby fans have been waiting for a golden generation of talent to make a statement at test level for quite some time now.
Led by flanker Fraser McReight, the Junior Wallabies reached the World Championships final in Argentina a few years ago – losing to France by one point in the decider.
Later in 2019, the Australian Schoolboys recorded a drought breaking win against rivals New Zealand in Hamilton. It was their first win across the ditch in seven years.
Many of these players have gone on to higher honours, and will played a crucial role in the Wallabies’ World Cup charge later this year.
“It’s cool to see those boys who I played Schools with really excel.
“Angus Bell, one minute I was playing with him at Schools and then he’s playing for the Wallabies.
“It’s so cool to see boys who I played with really excel and go on in their career.
“I think there’s a lot of young talent here and I think if we get the opportunity… there’s a good chance for us to change that stigma.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments