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Noah Lolesio making all the right moves in quest for Wallabies gold

Noah Lolesio. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

He can feel the hype but Brumbies young gun Noah Lolesio is doing his best to stay cool after emerging as genuine contender for the Wallabies’ No.10 jumper.

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Man of the match in the Brumbies’ 31-23 Super Rugby AU win over Melbourne Rebels on Saturday night, Lolesio is firmly in Dave Rennie’s sights after earning a spot in the new national coach’s “player of national interest” squad.

“I don’t want to think about it too much but it’s pretty unreal to cop a call from the Wallabies coach,” Lolesio told AAP.

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Brumbies coach Dan McKellar and skipper Allan Alaalatoa – post-match Super Rugby AU Round One

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Brumbies coach Dan McKellar and skipper Allan Alaalatoa – post-match Super Rugby AU Round One

“I’ve had a good couple of chats with Dave Rennie. He’s really impressed and he’s loved the fact that younger guys are pushing for spots against the older guys.

“He just said keep performing well this season and hopefully I can get a spot in the squad.”

With veterans Bernard Foley and Christian Lealiifano opting to head overseas, 52-Test star Matt Toomua is the frontrunner for Australia’s vacant No.10 jumper.

But with a penchant for pinning his faith in youth, Rennie is keen not only on 20-year-old Lolesio but also NSW Waratahs fly-half Will Harrison, a fellow member of the Junior Wallabies side that lost the 2019 under-20s world cup.

“You can’t really ignore the noise. I just acknowledge it but I don’t read into it too much,” Lolesio said.

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“It’s there but my focus is always the Brumbies and always will be my No.1 priority.

“It’s awesome getting the acknowledgement but it can go in a second so I’m just keeping my feet grounded.”

Lolesio outpointed Toomua at the weekend, making a series of clean breaks and also landing some clutch conversions at GIO Stadium.

“I’m just doing my job for the team. I don’t think I overplayed my hand too much,” he said.

“There’s still bits and pieces I can still improve in with game management but, overall, I thought I did my job well for the team and that’s all I can ask for.”

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– Darren Walton

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M
MA 2 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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