Wallabies 2025

[LeCheese]

Lolesio heading to Japan:

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

Wallabies five-eighth Noah Lolesio has agreed to move to Japan to play club rugby in 2026, with an option to play until the end of 2027.

www.smh.com.au

Unsurprising, yet somehow still a bit surprising.

 

[Wilson]

Unsurprising, yet somehow still a bit surprising.

The surprising part for me is it coming out now - I figured we wouldn't hear about a Lolesio departure until at least the new coach, and more likely post Lions.

I do wonder if this is a sign we're about to see a few more departures after the recent run of re-signings, As I understand RA did have some deadlines for negotiations with a bunch of frontline wallabies, so they might be coming due.

 

[Latts1992]

A contract for 2026 with an option to extend to the end of 2027 doesn't sound all that different to Ikitau's contract at Exeter really.

 

[Wilson]

Similar, but Ikitau's was specifically reported as a 9 month deal with RA still very engaged with him and Exeter in managing him and his availability. There's more to come out on this but the initial reporting doesn't sound like that's the case for Lolesio.

 

[Adam84]

I don’t rate Noah as starting 5/8, I’m actually unconvinced any of them are great options but less depth will only leave Australian rugby in a weaker state.

maybe Brumbies/RA should chase some of the Aussie 5/8s in Japan like Lucas or Greene

 

[Strewthcobber]

I don’t rate Noah as starting 5/8, I’m actually unconvinced any of them are great options but less depth will only leave Australian rugby in a weaker state.

maybe Brumbies/RA should chase some of the Aussie 5/8s in Japan like Lucas or Greene

They must both be close to Japan qualified by now? I wonder if there's any chance either gets called up by EJ (Eddie Jones)

 

[Wilson]

I don’t rate Noah as starting 5/8, I’m actually unconvinced any of them are great options but less depth will only leave Australian rugby in a weaker state.

maybe Brumbies/RA should chase some of the Aussie 5/8s in Japan like Lucas or Greene

I reckon if the Brumbies go to market it will either be to lure Pasitoa back or Mclaughlin-Phillips down, I can't see them having the money to lure a those guys back from Japan. At least not without significant RA backing, and I'm doubtful they'll be overly phased about grabbing those guys.

They do also look to be planning for the future fairly well with Meredith though, so they may just look to the current(ish) 20s to try and get someone to bring through in a few years - Focusing on Dillon, and maybe grabbing Fowler, Prass or Nason as a backup, knowing they're all sitting behind a bit of a logjam at the top.

Edit: Or according to Christy it's Edmed they'll chase:

But it’s understood the Brumbies will look even closer at Waratahs playmaker Tane Edmed, who has quickly fallen out of favour under Dan McKellar in 2025.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/04/04/wallabies-star-quits-australian-rugby-schmidt-faces-huge-call-on-no-10-to-face-lions/

 

[PhilClinton]

Sounds like the players leaving will still be considered for Lions selection and a couple of other interesting remarks here.

https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story...phil-waugh-boss-gives-lions-hope-noah-lolesio

JAS exceeding expectations currently might be a stretch considering how little he has played, but obviously Waugh is keen to keep that vibe.

Noah bailing overseas because Joe isn't going to be Wallabies coach is an interesting admission. Might be a reflection of how down in confidence he is at the moment to prove his selection credentials to another coach.

 

[Major Tom]

I read Lolesio’s interview with the roar. Can’t really accept the “going because I don’t know who the coach is going to be” line. He’s clearly going for money or a different experience. Or doesn’t have much self confidence which I can’t accept in a
Wallabies flyhalf. The bloke is 25 with 23 odd test to his name we have to stop with this confidence narrative that gets attached to him.

 

[Braveheart81]

I read Lolesio’s interview with the roar. Can’t really accept the “going because I don’t know who the coach is going to be” line. He’s clearly going for money or a different experience. Or doesn’t have much self confidence which I can’t accept in a
Wallabies flyhalf. The bloke is 25 with 23 odd test to his name we have to stop with this confidence narrative that gets attached to him.

It's clearly not the major reason for his decision making but I can understand mentioning it.

Clarity regarding the coach going forward is likely to impact contract offers in terms of slight changes in retention priorities etc.

If the next coach thinks Lolesio is clearly the best option at 10 then his next contract offer with Rugby Australia is likely to be higher. By the same token, the reverse could apply and the offer is less and makes it clearer that he should head overseas.

 

[Major Tom]

It's clearly not the major reason for his decision making but I can understand mentioning it.

Clarity regarding the coach going forward is likely to impact contract offers in terms of slight changes in retention priorities etc.

If the next coach thinks Lolesio is clearly the best option at 10 then his next contract offer with Rugby Australia is likely to be higher. By the same token, the reverse could apply and the offer is less and makes it clearer that he should head overseas.

I’m sorry I can’t accept that. A proper player would back themselves to perform and demand selection. To me if he’s genuinely thinking he needs to know who the coach is to give him confidence then I think he’s not got what it takes imo.

 

[Braveheart81]

I’m sorry I can’t accept that. A proper player would back themselves to perform and demand selection. To me if he’s genuinely thinking he needs to know who the coach is to give him confidence then I think he’s not got what it takes imo.

What's there not to accept?

Of course he's going for money. I don't think that removes the point that if he had more certainty about being selected for the Wallabies going forward because he knew the coach liked his play and/or that increased the contract offer from Rugby Australia then it could have swayed his decision.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I’m sorry I can’t accept that. A proper player would back themselves to perform and demand selection. To me if he’s genuinely thinking he needs to know who the coach is to give him confidence then I think he’s not got what it takes imo.

Would be a better argument if Lolesio hadn't gone from not being selected at all by Eddie Jones, to being first choice under Schmidt. He probably feels like he was exactly the same player, just in and out of the team based on the whim of the coach.

Who the coach is clearly matters, and changes the value and experience players are going to have over the next number of years.

 

[Slim 293]

Yep, and it will be the fourth Wallabies coach in just as many years...

Based on his experiences with Rennie and Jones, which clearly affected him and almost drove him overseas earlier, there's no guarantee the incoming coach will back him as much as Schmidt has.

He can take the money on offer overseas and then weigh up whether he extends that contract or comes home for the RWC.

 

[Major Tom]

What's there not to accept?

Of course he's going for money. I don't think that removes the point that if he had more certainty about being selected for the Wallabies going forward because he knew the coach liked his play and/or that increased the contract offer from Rugby Australia then it could have swayed his decision.

I don’t accept his reasoning of the uncertainty of a new coach. It’s a valid concern for him sure but as a fan I want players that back themselves to make it it in any environment. The lack of confidence is a red flag for me

 

[Jimmyjam]

Yep, and it will be the fourth Wallabies coach in just as many years...

Based on his experiences with Rennie and Jones, which clearly affected him and almost drove him overseas earlier, there's no guarantee the incoming coach will back him as much as Schmidt has.

He can take the money on offer overseas and then weigh up whether he extends that contract or comes home for the RWC.

I don't think there are guarantees for most players with a new coach coming on board tbh. Don't really buy that as a reason to go overseas, but obviously makes the decision a lot easier to justify taking the big pay check....

 

[Tomikin]

I don’t accept his reasoning of the uncertainty of a new coach. It’s a valid concern for him sure but as a fan I want players that back themselves to make it it in any environment. The lack of confidence is a red flag for me

Mate you just don't like him, he has gone for money, they didn't offer him enough, so he decided it was better for him and his family to go overseas.

He will probably be laughing when the next flyhalf comes in the likes of you and a majority of the internet tear them to bits, because they ain't no superstar you expect.

He also missed the start of the season with a pretty light head knock that put him out for three weeks. Maybe there's more to it..

 

[LeCheese]

He also missed the start of the season with a pretty light head knock that put him out for three weeks. Maybe there's more to it..

I don't think it would be amiss to assume the longevity of his earning potential would've crossed his mind.

 

[Yoda]

Mate you just don't like him, he has gone for money, they didn't offer him enough, so he decided it was better for him and his family to go overseas.

He will probably be laughing when the next flyhalf comes in the likes of you and a majority of the internet tear them to bits, because they ain't no superstar you expect.

He also missed the start of the season with a pretty light head knock that put him out for three weeks. Maybe there's more to it..

“when the next flyhalf comes in the likes of you and a majority of the internet tear them to bits”…. like that really matters? All the learned experts on the sidelines giving their ‘expert’ opinions… Noah played as a Wallaby representing his country… him and anyone else who does that are bloody legends in my eyes, no matter how well they stack up to past representatives or what any hack journalist or rugby critic reckons. He will always be a Wallaby and well done to him.

 

[Major Tom]

Mate you just don't like him, he has gone for money, they didn't offer him enough, so he decided it was better for him and his family to go overseas.

He will probably be laughing when the next flyhalf comes in the likes of you and a majority of the internet tear them to bits, because they ain't no superstar you expect.

He also missed the start of the season with a pretty light head knock that put him out for three weeks. Maybe there's more to it..

Calm down. I’ve given him a fair crack. And he’ll always be a wallaby and he’s always repped Aus with pride from junior wallabies to now. But clearly the jury is still out on whether he is a test level flyhalf. All I’m saying is it was an odd comment to make about why you’re exiting the Australian system. It was honest but didn’t come across as a very resilient response to me. I wish him the best for him and his family in Japan. But if I was the next coach I would be moving to someone else and the wallabies will probably carry on the same.