Wallabies enforcer Allan Alaalatoa says Noah Lolesio should not be exiled from the forthcoming British and Irish Lions series, despite announcing his defection to Japanese rugby.
Lolesio was national coach Joe Schmidt’s leading five-eighth last year, but the Kiwi’s decision to omit Langi Gleeson from a preseason camp after he signed in France triggered concerns the Brumbies’ maestro would meet the same fate.
The Gold Coast product played a composed hand in his side’s 39-26 triumph over the Reds, allowing his forwards to capitalise in the wet conditions while using his kicking game to force Queensland into chancing their arm from their own half.
Noah Lolesio played a starring role.Credit: Getty Images
In contrast, Reds opposite number Tom Lynagh – whose form in 2025 has heaped pressure on Lolesio to retain Test duties – ran the ball strongly at times, but was perhaps guilty of overplaying his hand with the slippery ball.
Alaalatoa, who has captained the Wallabies, was adamant whoever took control of Australia’s attack against the Lions must be the most in-form option, regardless of where their future lay.
“When you verse the British and Irish Lions, you want to win that series, and you’ve got to be picking the best players available. That’s just my opinion,” Alaalatoa said.
“There would have been a bit of that behind Noah’s decision, but we just try to make sure he puts his best foot forward for the club, and whatever happens around selection will happen.
“He kicked really well, our exits were really good – especially with the weather like that, we had to be smart with how we played, and I thought he put us in the right areas of the field to do that.”
Valetini the destroyer
Rob Valetini has put himself at the front of the queue to partner Fraser McReight in the Wallabies’ back row, having cast aside the hamstring issues that plagued the opening month of his season.
While McReight’s selection for the Lions tour is seemingly a fait accompli – despite a push from the Super Rugby Pacific’s leading try-scorer, Carlo Tizzano – the Queensland Reds star was powerless to prevent Valetini’s masterclass, particularly in the absence of inspirational No.8 Harry Wilson (fractured arm).
“All of his carries in the first half were outstanding. He was struggling against the Highlanders in terms of his fitness a little bit … but now he’s back to being dominant in his ball carries against big defenders.”
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham
The 26-year-old scored a try from a slick rolling maul play to go with 53 running metres – the most of any forward on the ground – while his pressure in defence helped force 21 turnovers from the Reds in a telling justification of the four-year contract extension he inked in February.
Valetini’s opposite number, Seru Uru, failed to provide the same instinctive spark he has become renowned for, as the Reds’ willingness to offload and shift the ball in wet conditions created some moments for the highlight reel but ultimately triggered too many errors on the front foot.
In contrast, the Brumbies made use of a surface that had spent much of Saturday being deluged, with Alaalatoa and No.8 Tuaina Tualima crashing over in similar circumstances after sustained goal-line pressure in the first-half.
Hooker Billy Pollard then claimed a brace from rolling mauls shortly after Richie Asiata had crossed for his second for the Reds, as the visitors acclimatised far better to the wet conditions.
“We probably didn’t handle a couple of exits at times, a couple of breakdowns late in the game cost us, but generally, I just thought we drifted away from what our game was really about.”
Reds coach Les Kiss
Paisami presses his case
Hunter Paisami proved the Reds’ greatest threat in their bid to end the Brumbies’ reign as Australian rugby’s heavyweight outfit, with his mixture of ball play, strength and flashes of brilliance giving his side the early momentum.
The 31-Test capped Wallaby has endured a frustrating career on the injury front, but his evolution into a multi-faceted asset has thrust him ahead of the mix for Australia’s No.12 jumper once the Lions arrive.
Tom Lynagh of the Reds in full force.Credit: Getty Images
Finishing with 92 running metres and three tackle busts, it was a moment of Paisami magic that opened the scoring as he latched onto a Matt Faessler offload to toe the sideline and chip for himself.
His short passing game linking up with rookie centre partner Dre Pakeho – who scored a late consolation try – gave the Reds plenty of go-forward early, while his counter-attacking linebreak should have been capitalised on, if not for a knock-on from the shift back to the right.
“He’s in a really good space, Hunter. He’s strung multiple games together, which helps, but he’s playing with confidence … he’s a rock for us.”
Reds captain Tate McDermott
Test stars succumb as nervous wait ensues
Blake Schoupp’s wretched injury history has had another chapter etched into its pages, with Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham fearing he faced nine months on the sidelines having “snapped his Achilles”.
Len Ikitau was also knocked out in the opening minutes of the clash, lying on the field for a prolonged period, with Larkham confirming he would miss next week’s battle with Moana Pasifika.
“He’ll need an operation … he’s not in pain, so we’ll get on top of that straight away.”
Stephan Larkham on Blake Schoupp
Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler, who was celebrating his 50th game, also suffered a hamstring injury, with the severity not yet known.
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