Noah Lolesio ruled out of Australia’s series against the British and Irish Lions after having neck surgery

Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio is set to be sidelined indefinitely after undergoing neck surgery.

Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio will miss Australia’s three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions after undergoing neck surgery on Tuesday.

Lolesio suffered a whiplash injury in the Wallabies’ 21-18 win over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday.

He went to hospital, but was discharged that night.

However, following a further medical check-up, 25-year-old Lolesio had surgery on Tuesday afternoon. with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt saying the operation was “successful”.

Noah Lolesio will miss the Wallabies’ series against the British and Irish Lions. Picture: AP Photo/Mark Baker

“We were relieved that Noah was up and moving well when he returned to the team hotel after his initial hospital visit in Newcastle on Sunday,” Schmidt said.

“Further to that, it’s an added relief for everyone, especially his family, that successful surgery now has him on the road to recovery.”

Lolesio is expected to make a “full recovery”, according to a Rugby Australia statement.

“He will spend a period of time away from the game during his rehabilitation,” the RA statement also said.

Candidates to replace Lolesio in the Australia’s No.10 jersey for the first Test against the Lions on Saturday week in Brisbane include Ben Donaldson, Tom Lynagh and Tane Edmed, while veteran James O’Connor could be called into the extended squad which is set to be named later this week.

Originally published as Noah Lolesio ruled out of Australia’s series against the British and Irish Lions after having neck surgery