Noah Lolesio now frontrunner to lead new-look Wallabies

A five-eighth who has played only 10 Super Rugby matches could be the face of a Wallabies overhaul. What will the rest of the side look like?

Noah Lolesio is a chance of a Wallabies start, despite limited Super Rugby experience

Very early on in the piece, it was clear Wallabies coach Dave Rennie had great things in mind for Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio and it may be that a Test start for a five-eighth who has played only 10 Super Rugby-level matches will be one of them.

It might perhaps be understandable if Rennie put Lolesio on ice for a time and went with James O’Connor or Matt Toomua. His Wallabies side to play the All Blacks on October 10 could have four or five uncapped players in it, along with a considerable number whose tally of Test caps remains in single digits, so the temptation might be to milk what experience he has in those positions where it is available.

Still, to have a talent like Lolesio at your disposal and not attempt to get full value out of him …

Just over a week ago, I asked Brumbies coach Dan McKellar what the likelihood was of Lolesio starting in the grand final, considering he had been out of action for seven weeks with a hamstring issue.

McKellar gave a soft whistle. “Big ask,” he said. And then, just on the off-chance I might not have been paying attention, he repeated himself. “Big ask.”

“Big ask for a lesser player”, McKellar clearly was thinking because he announced to his players the very next day that Lolesio would indeed be in the starting side. And, as he had clearly anticipated, Lolesio handled his return like an old pro.

True, there is concern that Lolesio has played virtually an entire season behind a pack going forward. He was sitting on the sideline when the Melbourne Rebels and the Reds scored their wins over the Brumbies and a coach always learns far more about his five-eighth when his

forwards are doing it tough than when he is being given an armchair ride. Still, it is hardly Lolesio’s fault and may be to his credit that his pack always dominates when he is there.

Watch every match of the 2020 Bledisloe Cup & Rugby Championship Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly

As with the Brumbies, so too with the Wallabies — if Lolesio is chosen, it will dramatically improve the selection chances of halfback Joe Powell. In years to come, Powell will appreciate having such youthful looks, but right now they are a liability. He does not look the part of a Test halfback, all golden hair and face like a cherub.

But, like Lolesio, that is hardly his fault. Week in, week out, he proves he is up to the task.

Noah Lolesio of the Brumbies receives the player of the match award after the grand final

And he has an excellent combination with his five-eighth. His is about the only pass that Lolesio has known at Super Rugby level and while there are elements of Powell’s game that aren’t quite the equal of his rivals – his running game isn’t up to Tate McDermott’s or Jake Gordon’s while his box kicking falls short of Nic White’s – the overall package is very solid.

If Lolesio is at 10, the sensible solution would be to use Toomua or O’Connor at inside centre, to provide a steadying voice. Still, pursuing the same argument for Powell at nine, the Brumbies’ Irae Simone looms as the next generation of 12s. If chosen, the two 30-year-olds would certainly hold down the fort, not to mention relieve Lolesio of the goalkicking duties. But if Rennie wants to strike out in a new direction, Simone looms as a logical piece of the puzzle.

The rest of the backline falls relatively easily into place – Jordan Petaia at 13, Marika Koroibete on the wing, Tom Banks at fullback. The vexatious selection is the other winger. Filipo Daugunu is a dream selection or a nightmare, sometimes within the space of the one movement. When play is running for him, he is almost unstoppable. But when he is trying to make things happen, he is utterly unpredictable.

If Rennie feels that he just can’t cope with any unnecessary aggravation, he might well opt instead for Tom Wright.

Queensland flanker Fraser McReight was the Reds’ best player in the title decider

Now to the really tricky selection, the back-row. Let’s assume that Reds No 8 Harry Wilson and Tahs flanker Michael Hooper are certain to be there. And yes, Pete Samu is definitely in the mix, but he is not the dynamic ball-carrier that Wilson is.

Fraser McReight was perhaps the player of the grand final, even on the losing side. The problem is that he and Hooper can’t both be selected at openside. George Smith and Phil Waugh, Simon Poidevin and Jeff Miller … picking two specialists sevens always looks like a good option – like converting a ball-running lock to blindside flanker – but it seldom works.

But McReight-Hooper just might, because Hooper isn’t a classic seven at all. He is closer in playing style to a sawn-off six and while he does not batter down defensive walls the way a Jerome Kaino once did, he nonetheless finds his own way through.

Right about now, Rennie might be having second thoughts about his decision to send Isi Naisarani a little hurry-up message but, in his absence the challenge is to select a better backrow than Wilson-Hooper-McReight, one that will put questions to the All Blacks. Liam Wright’s combination with the other two Reds makes him a contender, and he certainly looms as a captaincy contender, but there are questions over his ball-running ability. And the same for Lachie Swinton, Rob Valentini and Mr In-Between, Ned Hanigan.

Coach’s picks are certain to come into the selection picture in the second-row but not until The Rugby Championship. Until then players such as Rory Arnold and Will Skelton can only be released at their club’s pleasure and that doesn’t seem to be happening. Matt Philip of the Rebels and the Reds’ Lukhan Salakai-Loto have the strongest credentials but rising Rebel Trevor Hosea has impressed widely and even the experience of Rob Simmons could be called on to prevent the Wallabies lineout getting the wobbles.

Similarly, Stade Francais’ Tolu Latu appeals as an overseas selection at hooker but for the Bledisloe series at least, the Brumbies’ Folau Fainga’a and the Rebels’ Jordan Uelese have arguably built the strongest cases.

If Rennie is rolling the dice on potential matchwinners, then Taniela Tupou must start at loosehead, however worthy Allan Alaalatoa might be. And while it is difficult to evaluate performances, given that James Slipper was brought on against a tiring Tupou, he did significantly better than Scott Sio. Both players are world-class looseheads, but Slipper appears to add more value around the field.

All the evidence is now in. There is no more reconnaissance to be done. Now there is only Rennie’s selection.