Noah Lolesio reveals how the Wallabies ‘made it tough to stay’ and Joe Schmidt’s reaction

Wallabies and Brumbies fly-half Noah Lolesio reveals that Joe Schmidt’s departure played a role in his decision to leave Rugby Australia.

The 25-year-old has signed a one-year deal, with an option of a second year, with an unnamed Japan Rugby League One club. This Japanese tournament is popular on the best betting sites for rugby.

The playmaker has been in and out of the Wallabies’ starting XV in recent seasons but got regular minutes in Schmidt’s first year in charge, starting nine out of 14 Tests in 2024.

“Tougher to stay”

Lolesio has now revealed the reasonings behind his decision to leave Australia with the uncertainty around the next Wallabies boss playing a significant role.

“Joe not being here after The Rugby Championship definitely made it tougher for me to stay, to be honest,” Lolesio told reporters on Monday.

“Just the unknown of who the next coach will be and me potentially, if I do stay, then go through the whole cycle again.

“I’m not putting it on Joe because I totally understand why he’s leaving. He’s got a family, he’s got to look after his family as well. I’m forever thankful for what he’s done for me and my career, especially last year. And I thanked him on that as well. So, yeah, that was probably one of the main reasons why I decided to head overseas.

“I believe everything happens for a reason as well. Without going through all those troubles, I wouldn’t say troubled times, but those times, I wouldn’t be the player I am today.

“It’s a tough one because I definitely wanted to stay, ideally.

“But it’s just the unknown of what the future holds. It’s a stressful time, not just for myself, but for boys off contract at the moment.

“I totally respect Joe’s decision to leave but as I’ve experienced so far with previous coaches, it didn’t end well for me. I bring it back to I’m happy it’s all over now and I’m just keen to rip it with the boys.”

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Overseas players earning selection

The likes of Langi Gleeson [Montpellier], Tom Hooper, Julian Heaven and Len Ikitau [all Exeter Chiefs] will all join Lolesio in leaving Australia this year with Ikitau’s move yet to be finalised as it is understood that he will return after just one season.

While Rugby Australia has no official policy on players who have signed to play overseas beyond this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign being unavailable for Test selection, Schmidt has favoured those remaining in Australia for the Wallabies.

Schmidt decided to ‘uninvite’ Waratahs back-row Gleeson to a three-day training camp after it was revealed that he had signed with Montpellier.

Lolesio had told Schmidt of his decision to leave Australia before it was officially confirmed and has received no guarantees from the head coach that he would pick players who have opted to continue their careers overseas after this season. However, he added that the door was not closed.

“He was pretty disappointed. It was a tough phone call. I thanked him for what he’s done for me. He’s been open about [Tom Hooper] and Langi [Gleeson] and not picking them,” the fly-half said.

“But look at them now. They’re probably up there with one of the best forwards in Australia for this season.

“He said something similar to me. But he also said the door’s never shut as well. He said ideally he wanted me to stay and he’s obviously got to factor in the future for boys that want to stay in Australia, which is, again, fair enough. But he also said that the window’s not fully closed as well. It’s the same as every year.”

He added: “I’m still contracted here until October. So, I’ll still be available. Especially now I can just really focus on being the best 10 I can be for the Brumbies.

“And then, hopefully, my performances for the rest of the season can put a good step forward for selection for that Lions series.”

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