The move of Lolesio’s Japan puts the lions and hopes of the World Cup at risk
Wallabies Cinque-Ottavo Noah Lolesio has potentially put his hopes to play in the next British and Irish Lions series and in the World Cup in 2027 in danger after having decided to play Club Rugby in Japan next year with an option to extend another season.
Lolesio’s decision to move to Japan will be one of the main tests of the Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt not to choose the players who have signed abroad. Waratahs No.8 Langi Gleeson had his invitation to a national field withdrawn after agreeing to join the French club Montpellier for 2026 and 2027.
What the Lolesio club will play in Japan next season, with the Kontitsu linings of the Division two who have a strong potential after the former 5-optimo chaoper has not been confirmed for the club, he announced that he would leave the team at the end of the season.
Schmidt showed a continuous faith in Lolesio as the initial director of the Wallabies, with the star of Brumbies who started nine out of 14 tests in 2024.
With Lolesio who played almost all minutes in the jumpers n. 10, Ben Donaldson, Tom Lynagh and Tane Edmed had a recent limited exposure at the test level.
Rugby Australia does not have an official policy of not collecting players who have decided to play internationally in the future and have given the strong form of Gleeson for the Waratah who will probably return to the running for the Wallabies.
“Noah informed us that he was presented an opportunity abroad for the next season and that we wish him well,” said the director of high performance of Rugby Australia, Peter Horne.
Noah Lolesio has become a fundamental part of Joe Schmidt’s plans of the Wallabies coachCredit: Getty images
The Brumbies are nervously waiting for Star Wallabies Tom Wright Wright will decide to stay in Australia next year after getting out of the contract at the end of this season.
