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Wallaby Noah Lolesio returns as Brumbies brace for Fijian Drua

Noah Lolesio of the Brumbies scores in the corner. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Wallaby Noah Lolesio is back for the ACT Brumbies ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Fijian Drua at Canberra’s GIO Stadium. Lolesio missed the last three matches for the Brums, including last weekend’s win at Eden Park, but returns to face the Drua for the second time this season.

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Lolesio will be joined in the halves by Ryan Lonergan, who kicked the winning penalty goal in the 79th minute to sink the Blues 21-20 in Auckland on Friday. Hooker Billy Pollard has also been restored to the starting side.

Young playmaker Declan Meredith has served the Brumbies well as the team’s chief fly-half over recent weeks, but Lolesio brings experience as Australia’s regular starting No. 10 over last year’s international campaign under coach Joe Schmidt.

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Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham appeared to be close to tears after the Brumbies’ win in Auckland last time out. It was a history-making win for the men from Australia’s capital, but they won’t be underestimating the Fijian Drua who recently knocked off the Chiefs 28-24.

“Declan [Meredith] has had an excellent start to the season, but this is Noah’s chance to come in and lead around the team from fly-half,” coach Larkham said in a statement.

“With Jack [Debreczeni] also in the squad, we have three strong stand-offs and the healthy competition for places can only be a good thing.

“We know that the Drua are going to come here and present an enormous challenge, particularly off the back of their impressive win last weekend. They are extremely physical and play some exciting rugby with ball in hand.

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“We’ll need to be at our very best right the way through to the final whistle.”

The starting forward pack remains unchanged with James Slipper, Billy Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa lining up in the front row. Nick Frost and Lachie Shaw will combine as the locking duo, which Tom Hooper, Rory Scott and Charlie Cale round out the pack.

Outside of Lonergan and Lolesio, David Feliuai will combine with Len Ikitau once again after impressing in Auckland. Corey Toole, Andy Muirhead and Tom Wright round out the First XV as the three outside backs.

Flanker Luke Reimer will play his 50th Brumbies match off the bench.

This fixture is set to kick off at 7:35 pm AEDT on Friday.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
5
Draws
0
Wins
0
Average Points scored
36
23
First try wins
100%
Home team wins
60%

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Brumbies team to take on Fijian Drua

  1. James Slipper
  2. Billy Pollard*
  3. Allan Alaalatoa
  4. Nick Frost
  5. Lachie Shaw
  6. Tom Hooper
  7. Rory Scott
  8. Charlie Cale
  9. Ryan Lonergan*
  10. Noah Lolesio*
  11. Corey Toole
  12. David Feliuai
  13. Len Ikitau
  14. Andy Muirhead
  15. Tom Wright

Finishers:

16. Lachlan Lonergan

17. Blake Schoupp

18. Feao Fotuaika

19. Cadeyrn Neville

20. Luke Reimer

21. Harrison Goddard

22. Declan Meredith

23. Ollie Sapsford

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reginaldgarcia 1 hour ago
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JW 2 hours ago
Kyren Taumoefolau All Blacks stance splits opinions on eligibility

MP are a NZ side through and through, NZ is even having to pay for it.

Yes they caved to public demand, I bet it accomplished a lot of internal goals. They could have left it to the other groups, but I’m of the belief that they weren’t showing the capability to make it work as being a good reason for NZR to jump in and do it. I think it’s actually funded 50/50 between NZR and WR though.

(when nothing was stopping a pi player playing for any side in Super Rugby)

Neither is that fact true. Only 3 non NZ players are allowed in each squad.


I see you also need to learn what the term poach means - take or acquire in an unfair or clandestine way. - Moana have more slots for non eligible players (and you have seen many return to an NZ franchise) so players are largely making their own choice without any outside coercion ala Julian Savea.

Not one of these Kiwis and Aussies would go live in the Islands to satisfy any criteria, and I’d say most of them have hardly ever set foot in the islands, outside of a holiday.

Another inaccurate statement. Take Mo’unga’s nephew Armstrong-Ravula, if he is not eligible via ancestry in a couple of generations time, he will be eligible because he plays his rugby there (even if he’s only their for rugby and not living there), that is a recent change made by World Rugby to better reflect examples like Fabian Holland and Fakatava.

It’s becoming the jump-ship/zero loyalty joke that international League is.

Look I understand you’re reason to cry and make an example at any opportunity, but you don’t really need to anymore, other recent changes made by WR are basically going to stop the Ireland situation, and time (perhaps no more than a decade) will fix the rest.

26 Go to comments
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