NEWCASTLE — Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio has been cleared of any critical damage after he was stretchered off on Sunday, whereas coach Joe Schmidt once more rejected ideas Australia wanted so as to add an skilled playmaker for the British & Irish Lions collection.
Lolesio was carted off McDonald Jones Stadium within the 61st minute of Australia’s 21-18 victory over Fiji, the fly-half showing to endure whiplash as he was tackled beneath the guests’ posts, earlier than they then surged up discipline and have been solely denied a sensational five-pointer by the TMO.
Whereas Schmidt informed reporters on the post-match media convention he didn’t know the extent of Lolesio’s situation, the Wallabies confirmed later Sunday night that he had been launched from hospital and cleared of significant damage.
Nevertheless it was the second time within the area of three months that Lolesio had been taken from the sector in a medicab — Lolesio was carried from HBF Park in Perth throughout the Brumbies’ Spherical 13 win over the Pressure — whereas he additionally suffered a head knock within the eleventh minute of their semifinal defeat by the Chiefs.
These three separate incidents have led to questions on his skill to navigate what is anticipated to be an extremely bodily collection in opposition to the Lions, which will get underway in Brisbane in 12 days’ time.
A Wallabies spokesperson stated Lolesio would proceed to be “medically monitored… with a comply with as much as be undertaken within the coming days.”
Lolesio was changed by Ben Donaldson in Newcastle on Sunday, whereas Schmidt additionally had two-cap teen Tom Lynagh in his prolonged squad to face the Fijians.
Questioned whether or not it is likely to be time so as to add an skilled playmaker to the combo – the Wallabies will title their squad to face the Lions on Wednesday – Schmidt once more caught strong behind his younger fly-half trio.
“We clearly have not chosen our Lions squad,” Schmidt stated. “This was one recreation that sat earlier than that, and we’ll sit down and contemplate our choices. However when you have a have a look at what Ben Donaldson did, I am undecided that he did not do precisely what he was wanted to do.
“He put us into the nook, he did what was wanted to ensure that we have been within the recreation on the finish and obtained the sport accomplished. So, yeah, I believe we have not been collectively for six months, and to have 5 trainings and to be seamless can be an expectation that I might hoped for fairly than believed would instantly occur.
“So, now we’ve got one other brief runway to attempt to enhance from the place we have been right this moment.”
Rugby Australia on Monday confirmed the ultimate make-up of the AUNZ Invitational squad, with neither James O’Connor nor Bernard Foley named among the many group as anticipated.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Tane Edmed have as an alternative been given the chance to impress, whereas it’s understood that the price of insuring Foley at age 35 and O’Connor at 34, was one of many key obstacles prohibiting their inclusion.
On Sunday in Newcastle, in the meantime, Lolesio had earlier produced a gradual first-half show because the Wallabies dominated possession and territory, however lacked the polish to construct what would have been a commanding halftime lead.
As a substitute, their 14-0 benefit was diminished to only 9 factors, a midfield chip from Lolesio 10 seconds from the hooter giving the Fijians a possibility to counter – nearly their solely attacking foray of the primary half – from which debutant fullback Salesi Rayasi powered his method by way of three Wallabies defenders and into the nook.
That late strive appeared to embolden the guests, who rode the momentum into the second half and later moved forward 18-14.
Ultimately, solely skipper Harry Wilson’s late five-pointer obtained the Wallabies out of jail in Newcastle, their second-half effort particularly providing little proof to recommend they are often assured of upsetting the Lions within the three-Take a look at collection.
“It is probably not a mindset that we have had time to contemplate even, I am positive externally it can appear like that,” Schmidt replied when requested whether or not the “underdog” place was one the Wallabies would relish.
“We did not play nicely sufficient right this moment for individuals to have the expectation that we’ll come bowling into Brisbane and knock the Lions over. I am undecided that expectation was there earlier than right this moment.
“As I stated, we’re simply going to need to construct that quiet resolve that inch by inch we will work our method towards that.”
The Wallabies even have issues over hooker Dave Porecki, who was one other participant to endure a head knock in Newcastle.
