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 Waratahs No.8 Langi Gleeson had his invitation to a national camp withdrawn after agreeing to join French club Montpellier for 2026 and 2027.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, with division two side Kintetsu Liners having strong potential after former Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper announced he was leaving the side at the end of the season.
Schmidt has shown continued faith in Lolesio as the Wallabies’ starting playmaker, with the Brumbies star starting 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.
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.
“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 Wallabies centre Len Ikitau is expected to move to English club Exeter on a nine-month deal after this year’s Rugby Championship.
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 for him for his contribution to the Brumbies,” Thomson said.
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