Brumbies season all but over for Wallaby prospect Noah Lolesio

The Brumbies have suffered a major blow with exciting young five-eighth Noah Lolesio all but ruled out for the rest of the Super Rugby AU season with a hamstring injury. Picked in Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s players of national interest squad, Lolesio will be sidelined for eight weeks after scans revealed a high-grade tear.

The 20-year-old hobbled off after just 30 minutes of the Brumbies’ 24-23 win over NSW Waratahs last Saturday night. Even if the Brumbies make the three-team finals series, Lolesio isn’t expected to return until mid-September.

The qualifying final takes place on September 12, with the title decider the following week. “We’re really disappointed for Noah. He had a good start to the year and was really enjoying his footy,” Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.

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“We’ve got a very good medical team here who will make sure Noah gets the best possible treatment and rehabilitation to ensure he gets back out on the field as soon as possible. While we are all disappointed for Noah we have got full confidence in Bayley Kuenzle and Reesjan Pasitoa to step in and fill that role.”

Unbeaten in their opening two games, the Brumbies face Western Force at Leichhardt Oval in round four next Saturday night. Meanwhile, recently arrived Nic White has a chance to suit up for the Brumbies, who already have Joe Powell, Ryan Lonergan and Issak Fines in the selection mix at No9.

?? The Plus500 Brumbies can confirm Noah Lolesio's hamstring injury will keep him sidelined for eight weeks. See you in the #SuperRugbyAU finals Noah!

MORE: https://t.co/cRN5MxQTiD pic.twitter.com/ubkwPIGMxO

— ACT Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) July 21, 2020

“Super Rugby would have been finished by the time I got back so there’s no expectation from my end to come in and play,” said White, who had been playing for Exeter in the Gallagher Premiership in England. 

“If there’s the opportunity to do that in the back end I’d love to but for now I’m just happy to be able to run around with the boys. I’ll be training… but at the same time, they have got a full squad and I understand that will be quite hard on some guys.”

White has been in two weeks quarantine with a toddler and second son, Sonny, whose birth delayed the family’s departure from the UK.

The Brumbies pulled off a massive comeback on Saturday night – and Waratahs coach Rob Penney is not happy. #SuperRugbyAU #WARvBRUhttps://t.co/ebElfhT87c

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 19, 2020