Wallabies: Brumbies young gun Noah Lolesio misses selection in squad touring Japan and the United Kingdom

Noah Lolesio has started in six of the Wallabies 10 Tests this year, but has failed to make Australia’s 37-man squad touring Japan and the UK.

Noah Lolesio has been omitted from the Wallabies squad touring Japan and the United Kingdom. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Brumbies flyhalf Noah Lolesio is a shock omission from the Wallabies 37-man squad to tour Japan and the United Kingdom.

Lolesio, 21, was a starter in Australia’s first six Tests this year. The Wallabies won two of those but were beaten in four, including three in succession to New Zealand.

He then lost his spot to born-again Quade Cooper, with Wallabies winning four matches in a row with the former Queensland Reds star in the No.10 jersey.

Cooper’s resurgence, as well as the recent return of James O’Connor from injury, have contributed to Lolesio being left at home to work on his game with the Brumbies.

“Those back here in Australia will get a decent off-season to make the necessary shifts in their games to excel at Test level,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.

Also missing the squad are Reds trio Harry Wilson Fraser McReight and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

The squad includes Rory Arnold and Tolu Latu, who will join their fellow French-based forward Will Skelton as new members of the 2021 group.

Quade Cooper’s return has contributed to Noah Lolesio’s omission from the Wallabies squad touring Japan and the UK. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“To have a few experienced players from overseas join us will no doubt help our development as we continue to grow and improve as a team,” Rennie said.

“We’ve been building as a squad over the past 18 months or so and to get a chance to head to the Northern Hemisphere and test ourselves against four really strong international sides (Japan, Scotland, England and Wales) is a great opportunity to learn more about ourselves.”

Four uncapped players – Waratahs pair Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi, Brumbies hooker Connal McInerney and Rebels prop Pone Fa’amausili – have also been included in the squad.

“We’re extremely grateful to be able to represent Australia on the world stage in the current environment and that’s something that’s not lost on this group,” Rennie said.

The Wallabies meet Japan on October 23, before flying to the UK for November Tests against Scotland at Murrayfield, England at Twickenham, and Wales at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Wallabies squad for 2021 Spring Tour (Test caps, club side and age)

Allan Alaalatoa (50, Brumbies, 27)

Rory Arnold (26, Stade Toulousain, 31)

Angus Bell (12, NSW Waratahs, 21)

Quade Cooper (74, Kintetsu Liners, 33)

Filipo Daugunu (6, Queensland Reds, 26)

Pone Fa’amausili* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 24)

Folau Fainga’a (21, Brumbies, 26)

Lalakai Foketi* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 26)

Jake Gordon (10, NSW Waratahs, 28)

Reece Hodge (53, Melbourne Rebels, 27)

Michael Hooper (c) (115, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Len Ikitau (9, Brumbies, 23)

Feleti Kaitu’u (3, Western Force, 26)

Andrew Kellaway (9, Melbourne Rebels, 25)

Samu Kerevi (38, Suntory Sungoliath, 28)

Marika Koroibete (42, Melbourne Rebels, 29)

Tolu Latu (19, Stade Francais, 28)

Rob Leota (2, Melbourne Rebels, 24)

Tate McDermott (11, Queensland Reds, 23)

Connal McInerney* (uncapped, Brumbies, 26)

Sean McMahon (27, Suntory Sungoliath, 27)

James O’Connor (57, Queensland Reds, 31)

Hunter Paisami (11, Queensland Reds, 23)

Izaia Perese* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 24)

Jordan Petaia (14, Queensland Reds, 21)

Matt Philip (19, Melbourne Rebels, 27)

Tom Robertson (26, Western Force, 26)

Izack Rodda (30, Western Force, 24)

Pete Samu (15, Brumbies, 29)

Will Skelton (18, Stade Rochelais, 29)

James Slipper (110, Brumbies, 32)

Darcy Swain (9, Brumbies, 24)

Lachlan Swinton (6, NSW Waratahs, 24)

Taniela Tupou (35, Queensland Reds, 25)

Rob Valetini (14, Brumbies, 23)

Nic White (43, Brumbies, 31)

Tom Wright (5, Brumbies, 24)

Originally published as Wallabies: Brumbies young gun Noah Lolesio misses selection in squad touring Japan and the United Kingdom