How Eddie snub and a French mega-club reignited Noah’s Wallabies dream

Noah Lolesio has credited a stint in French rugby last year with helping him rediscover his enjoyment of the game, fuel the form that has him on the verge of a Wallabies recall – and ultimately ignore overseas offers and stay in Australia.

Lolesio, who will guide the Brumbies in their Super Rugby semi-final clash against the Blues in Auckland on Friday, has re-signed with his club and Rugby Australia for another season.

It is a short extension but deep in meaning, given Lolesio looked lost to Australian rugby at the start of the year.

After years of being in and out of the Wallabies, the 24-year-old five-eighth was left permanently “out” in 2023 by Eddie Jones, who put his faith in rookies Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson.

But Lolesio’s form this season has been outstanding, and a few weeks out from Joe Schmidt picking his first Test team, the 20-cap Wallaby has put himself back at the top of the pecking order of No.10s.

Since his debut in 2020, Lolesio has become used to the ups and downs of the selection rollercoaster but said being ignored altogether by Jones hit hard, and left him wondering if his career in Australia was ending.

Noah Lolesio at Brumbies trainingCredit: Brumbies media

“At the start of the year, I was 50-50 whether I wanted to stay or whether I wanted to leave [Australia], because I had some interest overseas as well,” Lolesio said.

Lolesio’s resurgence this season can be traced back to being brushed by Jones.

As the Wallabies’ horror World Cup unfolded nearby, Lolesio took up a three-month “joker” contract with Toulon. The glamour club, which was once home to Matt Giteau and Sonny Bill Williams, was so impressed it wanted him to return when his Brumbies contract ended this year.

“Obviously, last year was a bit of a weird one. I was completely out of the Wallabies set-up and it probably took a toll on me, a lot,” Lolesio told this masthead.

Noah Lolesio makes a run against the All Blacks in Perth in 2021.Credit: Getty

“But I believe everything happens for a reason. It gave me an opportunity to go over to Toulon and I really enjoyed my time over there. It put things into perspective for me and all the lads over there were just awesome. If I had made the Wallabies, I wouldn’t have had that opportunity.

“Going over did nothing but good things for me and my game. I have taken the enjoyment approach from over there, and taken it into this season. I have just loosened myself up a bit more and not put as much pressure on myself as I what I did in previous years.

“I have just really tried to enjoy training and the games, because when I am having fun and enjoying my footy, that’s when I tend to be playing at my best. It was more of a mind switch change.”

Though Gordon and Donaldson have both shown glimpses of form, Lolesio’s mature direction of the Brumbies all season – and accurate goal-kicking – has him well placed to return to the No.10.

“I could have easily parked up and thought, ‘Sweet, I am not in the Wallabies set-up now, I don’t know where I stand’ so I could have easily said, ‘See you later’,” Lolesio said.

“But it is a bit of a full-circle moment. I definitely think my time over there made me a better player. The experience, you just can’t get that in Australia, obviously.

“It was more like a gut-feel for me [to re-sign]. The Brumbies, I believe we are playing the best footy we have played in years. With the British and Irish Lions coming next year as well, I could put my best foot forward for that as well. If everything all works out, then hopefully I can stay for longer.”

As Wallabies auditions go, Lolesio leading the Brumbies to a semi-final win at Eden Park over the white-hot Blues would take some topping; particularly given Schmidt was on the coaching staff in Auckland two seasons ago.

Lolesio is second only to Damian McKenzie for Super Rugby’s highest points scorer.

“The challenge doesn’t get any bigger than this, playing the Blues over there at Eden Park, in a night game with a bit of dew on the ground,” Lolesio said.

“In previous years, we have come up short in the semi-finals, but I believe as a whole squad we have learnt from those experiences, and it has prepped us well for this week. I think we are capable and ready for anything that comes our way.”

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