Lolesio’s Japan move puts Lions and World Cup hopes at risk

Wallabies five-eighth Noah Lolesio has potentially put his hopes of playing in the upcoming British and Irish Lions series and the World Cup in 2027 in jeopardy after deciding to play club rugby in Japan next year with an option to extend another season.

Lolesio’s decision to move to Japan will be a major test of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s stance of not picking players who have signed abroad. Waratahs No.8 Langi Gleeson had his invitation to a national camp withdrawn after agreeing to join French club Montpellier for 2026 and 2027.

It has not been confirmed what club Lolesio will play for in Japan next season, but informed sources say the 32-Test playmaker is headed for division two side Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi.

Lolesio made his international debut for the Wallabies in 2020, but endured a stop-start Wallabies career, including getting dropped by former coach Eddie Jones in 2023 who instead selected Ben Donaldson and Carter Gordon.

As the Wallabies World Cup disaster unfolded, Lolesio was enjoying a three-month contract in Toulon which he credited for reviving his passion for the game.

His Wallabies career changed with the appointment of Schmidt last January with the New Zealander showing continued faith in Lolesio as the Wallabies’ starting playmaker, picking the Brumbies star to start nine out of 14 Tests in 2024.

With Lolesio having played most minutes in the Wallabies No.10 jumper, Ben Donaldson, Tom Lynagh and Tane Edmed have had limited recent exposure at Test level.

Lolesio suffered a concussion in the first game of the season for the Brumbies against the Fijian Drua, spending three weeks on the sidelines and missing his team’s losses to the Western Force, the Chiefs and their victory against the Blues at Eden Park.

Lolesio’s impending departure from the Brumbies could open an opportunity for fellow Wallaby Tane Edmed to move to Canberra, with the five-eighth not in the Waratahs match-day squad this Saturday against Moana Pasifika.

Rugby Australia have no official policy of not picking players who have decided to play internationally in the future and given Gleeson’s strong form for the Waratahs he is likely to be back in contention for the Wallabies.

Lolesio could also decide to return to play rugby in Australia after one season in Japan, giving him time to push for a Wallabies World Cup spot under Schmidt’s successor, who will take over ahead of the 2027 tournament.

“Noah has informed us that he has been presented with an opportunity overseas for next season, and we wish him well,” Rugby Australia’s director of high performance, Peter Horne, said.

Noah Lolesio has become a key part of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s plansCredit: Getty Images

The Brumbies are nervously waiting on whether star Wallabies fullback Tom Wright will decide to stay in Australia next year after coming off-contract at the end of this season.

The club’s star Wallabies centre Len Ikitau is expected to move to English club Exeter on a nine-month deal after this year’s Rugby Championship.

One of their top performers this season, breakaway Tom Hooper will also join Exeter next season, although he did say that he intends to return to Australia “down the track, whenever that may be.”

Brumbies Chief Executive Phil Thomson thanked Lolesio for his contribution to the club.

“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 him for his contribution to the Brumbies,” Thomson said.

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