Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Joe Schmidt assesses Noah Lolesio’s performance against South Africa

By Finn Morton
Noah Lolesio of the Wallabies reacts after a getting scored against during The Rugby Championship match between Australia Wallabies and South Africa Springboks at Optus Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has praised Noah Lolesio for a “composed” performance against the world champion Springboks on Saturday. The flyhalf was a leader around the park and didn’t seem to take a backwards step when an injury crisis swept through the team.

ADVERTISEMENT

There has been a fair amount of criticism pinned on Lolesio over the last month. The 24-year-old started the first two Tests of the year against Warren Gatland’s Wales but failed to completely win over fans before swapping out of the First XV for Ben Donaldson against Georgia.

While Lolesio returned to the No. 10 jumper ahead of the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks, the playmaker still had a lot to prove – and that Test, as all Australian rugby fans will remember, wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.

Lolesio paired up with halfback Jake Gordon in the halves but they failed to get anything going in attack against the South African outfit which grew in confidence as the Test went on. The visitors were sensational as they snapped their Brisbane hoodoo with a big win.

But a week is a long time in Test rugby. It’s an overused cliché in this sport but it’s true – just look at Noah Lolesio. The flyhalf was paired up with former ACT Brumbies teammate Nic White in the halves and Lolesio seemed to benefit from that experience at Optus Stadium.

“Yeah, he’s grown in confidence,” coach Joe Schmidt told reporters after Australia’s 30-12 loss to South Africa at the Perth venue.

“I was delighted with the way he coped. Lenny Ikitau hasn’t played 12 for us and Andrew Kellaway hasn’t played 13 and losing Hunter (Paisami), he stayed really composed, I thought, and ran the game as best he could.

ADVERTISEMENT

“As much as we became a little bit probably out of kilter in the pack and just probably upset our backline balance as well. Hunter’s been super for us so that was a bit of a loss.

“Despite all that, I thought Noah did look really composed and stayed in the game really well and I thought his kicking was improved on top of that.”

Match Summary

4
Penalty Goals
2
0
Tries
4
0
Conversions
2
0
Drop Goals
0
89
Carries
96
3
Line Breaks
6
12
Turnovers Lost
15
4
Turnovers Won
3

Lolesio and White ran numerous switch plays which allowed the Wallabies to exploit space around the park. In one instance, the pair drew the Springboks defence to the right side of the field to allow for Tom Wright to kick a 50/22 just before half-time.

But it wasn’t a perfect performance. Lolesio was perfect off the goal-kicking tee with the half-time break rapidly approaching, but the first five-eighth had one more shot before the interval to give Australia the lead.

ADVERTISEMENT

In wet conditions, Lolesio sent the penalty attempt wide – the Wallabies went into the sheds down by two points. That one kick could’ve come as a massive boost for the hosts had it gone over, but the coach was still pleased with how the team fought during the second term.

“I was really proud of the way we hung in through half-time –  almost could have got our nose in front just on half-time which I think would’ve given the boys a little bit of oxygen, a little bit of belief. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite get there,” Schmidt explained.

“Then, right at the start of the second half, we lost ‘Slips’ had come on as skipper and we lost him straight away and we got a little bit dishevelled in the pack because we were down numbers.

“At the same time, they were bringing some numbers on that are pretty impressive. Obviously, Eben (Etzebeth) played most of the game… they had some firepower they brought on.

“I was also proud that we didn’t die wondering. We chanced our arm a few time in pretty tough conditions. It was tough going with the carry and then to be able to carry in these conditions, they actually turned a fair bit of ball over.

“I was proud of the effort that was made.”

Enter now to stand a chance of winning tickets to all three British & Irish Lions Tests vs Australia
You can also enter our ticket giveaway to win tickets to watch them take on Argentina in Dublin for the first time ever!

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

12 Comments
F
Flankly 24 days ago

Rebuilds take time. Schmidt will have a competitive Wallabies side in place for the RWC. Aussie supporters looking for near term wins are fooling themselves.


You will get some wins in 2024, but they don't really matter. Measure your coach by whether or not he is closing in on a competitive 2027 team.


Hint: He absolutely is. Schmidt will have a really good Aussie team in place in time for the RWC. There will be ups and downs before then.

O
OJohn 23 days ago

Didn't Schmidt say he was going to retire to look after his son, when he quit Ireland ?

How many years ago was that ?

And you're expecting him to continue coaching for another 4 years, after an extra two years with NZ when he went back on his word ?

Come on.

C
Chiefs Mana 24 days ago

I think they're totally focused on Lions next year and the hope that being competitive then will bode well for the RWC the following years.

O
OJohn 24 days ago

A kiwi might be proud of that performance but Australians aren't. This kiwi coaching, is as usual a complete joke. Schmidt is ripping a million dollars a year off Australia and achieving nothing and he refuses to select our best players. He has no conscience.

D
DM 23 days ago

Australian rugby is in the absolute doldrums at all levels nd you're blaming the guy who's been given the impossible task of making a silk purse from a sow's ear. The NRL and the AFL completely dominate the football landscape in Australia and that's not changing anytime soon you deadset mongoose

S
Steve P 24 days ago

Who would you pick to coach the Wallabies?


No irony intended, serious question.

I'm a Bok fan, but I want the Wallabies to do well. I'm hoping Schmidt puts systems in place like he did with Ireland. I grew up loving the play of the Larkham/Grogan era teams. Beautiful rugby to watch. Australia were always the innovators.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
NS 3 hours ago
All Blacks dared to put 'record on the line' in 'biggest game in 2025'

We need big bodies to match European and South African Team. NZ got them in heaps. The end of the year Northern Hemisphere tour is coming and it is the perfect time to realign and makes changes.

Firstly, a few pointers for Razor. BB and DMAc are not 1st Fives. As long as these two start all blacks will never win big games. Pick only one in the reserve for big games as cover for FB. Richie Moanga is ok and better than BB and DMAc at 1st five. If Richie is available BB and Dmac should never be picked.

Secondly, Rico has to go. Rico is the reason why all blacks did not win the world cup. It was lost in the quarter final when he sledged departing Irish player. Perhaps if he had performed a haka and bring him to tears rather than derail him in his last day, Rugby Gods will be smiling at AB. It is karma. Like Gregans "wait 4 more years" Sledge and Australia lost the final to England

On the other hand, you see the South African players will never ever do such acts and go down that low. They are very respectful and good people and they will keep winning. Rugby Gods will make South Africa win and they will keep winning unless Scott makes these changes

Thirdly, Don't let Sam Cane go. All Blacks have to keep him for big games. All Blacks Maul Defense is good because of him. Just keep him at test level and no other Rugby or very minimal club Rugby. Young loosies should hang around with Cane and learn about humility and respect

A message to BB, Dmac, Rico, Ardie Savea and TJ. Please make yourselves unavailable for 2 years. Ardie you are good but not a Back Row. You are too light.

That out of the way, now let’s select the team.

Front row sorted out by Jason Ryan. Won’t talk about it.

Locking sorted out with Tupou, Scott, Darry, Pat Tuipulotu and Josh Lord

Loosies. Do away with Ardie for a while. Go with Siti, Sotutu, Cane, Ethan, Jacobson, Papalii and Finau

Young stars like Satiti and Finau have to be grounded and train hard in the gym and bulk up for the next world cup. Sotutu has to work harder off the ball.

Half Backs: TJ out.  Cam Roigard [has to learn to scream and communicate game time], Ratima and Noah Hotham

Back Line:            1st Five: Harry Plummer [Inside center Cover]

                                2nd five: JB [Fullback and first five cover]

                                Outside Centre: Billy Proctor

                                Wings: Clarke and Will Jordon [Fullback Cover]

                                Fullback: Ruben Love [1st Five Cover], Zarn Sullivan

Wings: Shaun Stevson [Fullback Cover], Talaea and Narawa

Centre: Quinn Tupaea, Umaga Jenson Brothers - need big boys, ALB

Messaage to BB, DMac, Ardiae, Rico and  TJ. If you want All Backs to evolve and be world leaders again, please make yourselves unavailable for 2 years. Please just do it for your country. You will come back stronger in 2 years.

New Zealand team reminds me of NSW State of Origin. They always had the best players in their positions but never selected them in their position until Madge came and now NSW will be untouchable.

12 Go to comments
J
JW 3 hours ago
'Schmidt will not be forgiven or forgotten if Wallabies suffer Bled-bath'

After a promising beginning at the restarts led by young lock Jeremy Williams

Haha and your man Frost got out jumped by a prop at the restart! As Rassie referred to Ethan Blackadder as "PSdT like" after their game I think I'll take the player support prize here thank you Nick!


Yep, all Gordon had to do was pass immediately and the whole situation becomes a positive about the good carry forward on exists.


Classic vide that! Love the Irerish crowd boeing two clear backward passes, a great example of what was to come over the next decade from the Emerald Isle! Awesome old comms quality hand to the ear "what was that?"!! That last sequence reminds of of how well the All Blacks attacked this weekend. It might be as far back as this game was played the last time we saw the AB build that sort of pressure on their own back without relying on any sort of opportunity from the opposition.

Argentina head honcho Felipe Contempomi cut his teeth as an attack coach in Stuart Lancaster’s innovative system at Leinster

Ahhh! That explains the great depth and sideways rugby they are playing!! Hve to disagree on your diagnosis you have to attack it, I think thats why Stuar and Contepomi want you to do. Best idea is Schmidt do what he did with the All Blacks, which seems to what they're trying, if not still without at least a few steps up. In saying that though, again this Springbok attack, I felt the All Blacks should hve kept pressure that first or second receiver after the first two steps up they take. They seemed ripe for the pick by contrast to Los Pumas.


If you look at Reece's side of the field, that would be a great oppostunity for NZ to perform blitzes on, Barrett, Rieko, and a thundering Reece doing his Feyi-Waboso impersonation would be the best blitz backline in the world. Clarke on the other wing too if playing. I think Dlyan Pietsch has the attitude and tackling technique to try and pull it off?


In fairness, I feel what you are seeing as passivity on defence as actually coming from a lack of intensity in general from Australia. I was thinking about that during this game. It might be New Zealands great battle with the Springboks that has enabled them to develop it as a weapon, but I can't ever remember it as being one of the Wallabies. Those clashes always seem to been about pure tempo. The ABs flicked a switch in game two versus Argentina and kept their physicality up through both South African games. Perhaps that is the "Australian Way" piece that Schmidt is missing? 'Tempo' is a much hard switch to find, especially in the dark.

206 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'It's not an impact as an eight': Ex-All Blacks address Ardie Savea's form Ex-All Blacks address Ardie Savea's form
Search