New Wallabies coach means new outlook for players who were brushed during the Eddie Jones disaster

Players cast aside by sacked former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones are back in gold jerseys with a positive outlook in a team needing to re-establish itself as a power.

After being snubbed by former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones during what proved a disastrous and short-lived tenure, Noah Lolesio is lapping up the “clean slate” under new mentor Joe Schmidt as he sits in prime position to lock down a key playmaking role in a new-look national line-up.

Lolesio, 24, was an early pick at No.10 for Dave Rennie, who helmed the Wallabies before Jones who then went to the World Cup in France last year with only Carter Gordon a specialist in the crucial position.

It proved folly, and Gordon’s impending shift to the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL ruled him out of selection for the upcoming Tests against Wales and given Lolesio, who helped steer the Brumbies to the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals, first crack at wearing the gold jersey.

Uncapped Queensland Reds playmaker Tom Lynagh and Western Force utility Ben Donaldson are Lolesio’s only rivals.

But having experienced European rugby with Toulon in between seasons, and now back in the frame, Lolesio is keen to lean on the new coach to ensure he’s ready to take the opportunity this time around.

“I’ll just try and do the best job that I can, training every day, meetings and stuff with the boys and obviously try to get as much feedback as I can from Joe as well because obviously he’s a very experienced coach,” Lolesio said.

“You just look at his resume so I’m just going to be a sponge and learn as much as I can.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt talks with Noah Lolesio and Nic White in Brisbane.Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I’ve sort of taken this approach into the camp of not really changing much of what I’ve done this Super season

“The time in France taught me a lot, of just loosening myself up a bit. I know as a young 10 internationally, you can tend to put a lot of pressure on yourself.

“So just trying to loosen myself up a bit more to enjoy the moments and training, enjoy the moments with the boys and stuff because when I tend to enjoy what I’m doing, I tend to play better.

“It’s worked well so far and nothing will change in how I prep or anything like that heading in towards the upcoming Test if I get the opportunity to play.”

Schmidt only picked 14 players from last year’s World Cup squad for his 38-man training camp, which has helped the “clean slate” idea to prevail among so many of the new faces.

It also means Lolesio gets a chance to make a whole new imprint.

“Obviously, last year happened and a fair chunk of that squad didn’t make it this year,” he said.

“So any position is up for grabs. The next few days of training, Joe will be watching with a close eye.

“It’s a clean slate for anyone.”

Originally published as New Wallabies coach means new outlook for players who were brushed during the Eddie Jones disaster