Wallabies five-eighth Noah Lolesio is a nice bloke, and his coach wants him to cut it out – on the field, at least.
The young No.10 turned in a solid performance in the Wallabies’ win over the Springboks in Adelaide, after getting another recall to the team. For the third time in his 15-Test career, Lolesio was dropped following the England series in July, and didn’t play a minute in Argentina. But after getting another shot in Adelaide, he stepped up with a solid shift, laying on a try and kicking well.
But it was the sight of the 22-year-old barking orders, pointing and shouting at the Wallabies forwards that earned the biggest tick from backs coach Scott Wisemantel.
“The most impressive thing for me was when we scored that first try with [Fraser] McReight, if you go back two phases before and look where Noah is, he’s connected to the forwards … but the authority he had with telling them what he wanted, how he wanted it, and his organising, that to me was his most impressive part of his game,” Wisemantel said.
“I enjoyed that, because whether you are right or wrong, if you are demanding things and commanding things, then blokes are going to show up for you.
“The one thing we wanted from Noah is to be a bit more aggressive, because he is such a nice bloke.”
Lolesio has been positioned as the next long-term Wallabies No.10 for years, and made his debut in 2020. But in his short career, Lolesio has not held the jersey for longer than three Tests in a row, with Quade Cooper, Reece Hodge and James O’Connor also used at various points.
Wisemantel gave some insight into why the young Brumby has yet to nail down the spot, pointing to the coaches’ desire for him to set aside the temerity of youth, and lead the team. In explaining why Lolesio was originally overlooked to replace the injured Cooper, Dave Rennie said the No.10 had dropped back deeper and deeper in the third Test loss against England in July.
“Just to have that – and it’s not being rude – but in that role as a player who touches the ball more than most players in the team, he has to have that authority and command,” Wisemantel said.
“And to do that, you actually have to practise it daily; talking your wants and needs. I am going to Maslow’s hierarchy here, and all the rest of it, that’s how we operate on the field: ‘I need you here, I want you here, if you don’t show up, there’s going to be consequences’.
Noah Lolesio celebrates with Fraser McReight.Credit:Getty
“It’s aggressive language. Off the field, Noah is nothing like that. But that’s part of his development, controlling men.”
Wisemantel said he wanted Lolesio “to be filthy if he’s not selected”.
“I want him to come to me and go, ‘Well, why? How are we going to do this and what are you going to do for me?’. Because that’s my job,” he said.
The Wallabies are focusing heavily on turning in a consistent performance in Sydney, after falling into the same yo-yo cycle under Rennie as previous Wallabies regimes. Emotive responses to losses have been the trend in the entire Rugby Championship, however, with only Argentina putting together back-to-back wins.
Noah Lolesio set up a try for Fraser McReight with this break.Credit:Getty
Following the trend, the Springboks would be ripe for a strong performance this week but having made nine changes to the starting team, Jacques Nienaber will have to rely on fresh legs more than wounded pride. The Wallabies will be the more settled team, by some measure.
Asked for his take on why the Wallabies historically had the measure of South Africa in Australia, Wisemantel pointed to similar emotional responses.
“It’s probably because we have come off bad losses. Last year in Perth, we had our pants pulled down. Argentina too, same deal. So the timing, I suppose, if you’re a Boks supporter isn’t great,” he said.
“I don’t think it is any reflection on the Boks at all.”
The Pumas’ victory over New Zealand in Christchurch, followed by the Wallabies downing the Boks, continued a year of tough tipping in Test rugby. The four big series in July between north and south heavyweights saw tight contests, and 2-1 series results. Wisemantel said he had not seen Test rugby so competitive.
“It makes it difficult for coaches,” he said. “It means coming into the next World Cup, every country in that top 10 has a chance. The results are so varied, the styles are varied, it’s an exciting time. It’s good times for rugby.”
