Wallabies dealt massive blow as Noah Lolesio quits Australian rugby for Japan move
In a major blow for the Wallabies, and their ability to lock down a world-class No.10, star playmaker Noah Lolesio has decided to walk away from Australian rugby.
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Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio is leaving Australian rugby.
The Brumbies five-eighth informed teammates of his decision to join a club in Japan on Friday.
It is a major blow for Australia, given Lolesio is the first-choice five-eighth for Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
While Rugby Australia have been able to retain key talent in the past few weeks, the Wallabies have long struggled for a world-class No.10.
Lolesio is still expected to be picked in the Wallabies squad for the coming British & Irish Lions tour in July, however it remains unclear what role he will play beyond that.
Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson said: “We’ve been advised by Noah that he’s taking up an offer overseas in 2026. We wish him all the best in the next stage of his rugby career and thank for him for his contribution to the Brumbies.”
RA’s head of high performance, Peter Horne, added: “Noah has informed us that he has been presented with an opportunity overseas for next season and we wish him well.”
Attention will now turn to off-contract Western Force five-eighth Ben Donaldson, who was largely the back-up to Lolesio last year.
Donaldson has been in good form for the Force and now becomes a key retention target for RA as the Wallabies build towards a 2027 home World Cup.
Queensland’s Tom Lynagh, who also spent time playing for the Wallabies last year, is contracted to the end of 2026.
Lolesio had an up-and-down run in the Wallabies side since debuting in 2020.
He seemed to be emerging as the long-term solution to their playmaking woes by 2022, but was a shock omission from Eddie Jones’ 2023 World Cup squad.
Jones picked Carter Gordon as his only playmaker for that campaign, with Donaldson initially being picked as a fullback option but replacing Gordon during the disastrous tournament where Australia was bundled out of the pool stages for the first time.
However, with Gordon defecting to the NRL, Lolesio found favour again under new coach Schmidt.
As the 2024 Test season went on, Lolesio established himself as a reliable organiser, and by the spring tour firmly had his hands on the No.10 jersey following the wins over England and Wales, and close defeats to Scotland and Ireland.
Lolesio has had an injury-hampered start to this Super Rugby season and there are no guarantees he will wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey for the opening Lions Test on July 19.
Australia has a Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6, and the Wallabies team picked for that game will be the key indicator as to who will start against the Lions.
Lolesio joins Brumbies centre Len Ikitau, lock/backrower Tom Hooper, and NSW backrower Langi Gleeson in signing overseas deals for 2026.
However, RA is attempting to sign Ikitau to a long-term deal from 2026 onwards. He has a deal with English club Exeter for the 2026 season, with a second year option in his favour, but the Wallabies are keen to get him back for the 2027 World Cup.
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