Ex-Wallabies duo agree Noah Lolesio should currently start for Australia
Former Wallabies Tim Horan and Cameron Shepherd agree that flyhalf Noah Lolesio would start for Australia ahead of the likes of Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson if there was a Test tomorrow.
Lolesio, who played more than 15 matches in Wallaby gold before falling out of favour, has played an instrumental role in the Brumbiesâ strong form this season which sees them sit third after 10 rounds.
The 24-year-old has been a general around the field for the Australian powerhouse, which included a try against the table-topping Hurricanes last weekend, and has been sensational off the kicking tee.
For quite some time now, one of the biggest questions yet to be answered by new Australian coach Joe Schmidt is who should start in the No. 10 jersey? Well, Noah Lolesio might just be the answer.
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Tim Horan has picked a new-look Wallabies side based on current form. This is a team that doesnât include last yearâs World Cup skipper Will Skelton.
âThis weekend, thatâs the side Iâd pick â and I tell you what, itâs a big forward pack,â Horan said on Stan Sportâs Rugby Heaven.
âIt just depends on what Joe Schmidt is looking for. Does he want a really big forward pack? Does he want a mobile forward pack?
âI think Taniela Tupou hasnât started a lot of matches for the Rebels.
âWe both agree on Noah,â Horan continued. âI picked him at the start of the year that heâs the player that has really got to stand up.
âWhere we only differ a little bit, I think Tom Wright is the form 15 for the Australian teams and I think Andrew Kellaway is a better winger than Tom Wright is a winger.â
Horan has gone with James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Swinton, and Rob Leota in the tight five, while Rob Leota, , Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini round out the forwards.
Queenslandâs Tate McDermott partners Lolesio in this team, while Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau line up in the midfield. Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Tom Wright are the outside backs.
Itâs a strong team but one that looks vastly different to what former coach Eddie Jones selected last year, with Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson seen as the preferred options at first five.
Cameron Shepherd has agreed on eight selections, but would sub in prop Harry Johnson-Holmes, locks Darcy Swain and Izack Rodda, and flanker Liam Wright in the forward pack.
Shepherd, who played at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, would also go with veteran Nic White at halfback, and Tom Wright switching places from fullback to wing for Melbourneâs Andrew Kellaway.
âTo add some thought to my selections, I really want to see Joe Schmidt create a back three that are completely interchangeable,â Shepherd added.
âI want to see them being able to replace each other and I totally understand defensively in certain situations theyâre going to be where theyâre going to be.
âThe connection between those three has to be one of the most important parts of Australian rugby.
âKellawayâs kicking game is slightly better than Tom Wrightâs and thatâs probably why I prefer him at 15.â
Tim Horanâs current Wallabies XV: James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Swinton, Nick Frost, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Andrew Kellaway, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Tom Wright
Cameron Shepherdâs Wallabies XV: James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Darcy Swain, Izack Rodda, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Andrew Kellaway