TSS player’s brave decision to leave Gold Coast leads him to leadership role with under-20 Wallabies

A TSS graduate’s bold decision to leave his home on the Gold Coast just two days after graduating high school has paid off, with the achievements continuing to roll in for the future star.

NOAH Lolesio has no regrets about leaving the Gold Coast for Canberra at the end of high school.

Just two days after graduating from The Southport School in 2017, the rugby prodigy packed up his bags and headed to the nation’s capital in pursuit of a professional career.

He had just returned from vice captaining the Australian schoolboy’s side and had a George Gregan Scholarship to the University of Canberra waiting for him.

“I don’t know how I would have went had I stayed on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“It was hard to move away from my family but once I settled in and got into a routine in Canberra I started to love my time here.

“I’ve had no regrets.”

Noah Lolesio playing for TSS at School boys rugby vs Nudgee at TSS. Picture Mike Batterham

It’s easy to see why after the 19-year-old was signed late last year by the ACT Brumbies, bringing him one step closer to his dream of playing for the Wallabies.

“I’m loving training with the main squad,” he said.

“It’s been really humbling and I’ve been welcomed with open arms.

“I’m loving every day and my rugby knowledge is constantly increasing.”

Despite being part of the Brumbies academy and a development player, Lolesio believes he has a lot to offer in 2019.

“I’m open to anything,” he said.

“I wouldn’t mind a bit of game time but I’m learning every day off the guys and I now understand what it takes to play at that level.”

Lolesio, the cousin of former All Blacks Francis Saili has also recently been named in the leadership group for the U20 Junior Wallabies side.

“It was really humbling,” he said.

“Being selected in the leadership group shows me that I’ve been doing my job well but I don’t want to change who I am as a person just because I’m now in the group.

“I’ve tried to develop myself as a cool and calm head on field and at training in comparison to previous years and just really try to keep a sense of calm in the group.”

Noah Lolesio taking a kick for the Brumbies in their trial game against the Melbourne Rebels. Picture: Lachlan Lawson Photography

His first test of leadership came with a gruelling training camp which saw the 52-player squad train twice a day at the Australian Institute of Sport across the last week of January.

“The camp was really good and the staff ensured it was a professional environment,” he said.

“Us Canberra boys took the others out and showed them around so it was great to come together and get to know everyone.”

Lolesio believes the experience will have his chargers primed for success in 2019 with the Oceania Championships (to be held at Bond University) and World Rugby Championship in Argentina fast approaching.

“I 100% think that the camps will make us stronger when we get out onto the field because we got to spend so much time with each other and get to know the other players so that definitely helps.”

“It will definitely be great to get back up to the Coast for the Oceania tournament and see the family but it will be a great experience to face off against sides like New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

“The world championships are still a while away but all the boys are keen to put their hand up and make the final squad because other boys have told me it’s a tour you’ll always remember.”