Noah Lolesio has admitted that being a late inclusion for Australia’s Test showdown with England helped him settle into the match quickly and erase any potential nerves.
The fly-half was elevated to the starting line-up late in the day after Quade Cooper was forced to pull out following an injury picked up during the warm-up.
It seemed like things would conspire against the Aussies, who lost two further players to injury, and they were reduced to 14 men inside the first 35 minutes. Many sides would have caved under the pressure, but Australia rallied hard to prevail 30-28, and heap further misery on England coach Eddie Jones.
Lolesio and his team-mates refused to buckle and they stepped up to the mark when it mattered most. The fly-half put in an excellent shift and his kicking stood up to the mark as he tucked away three penalties and three conversions.
And when asked for his thoughts about how he coped with the late call-up, Lolesio said: “I was pretty shocked when ‘Rens’ (Rennie) tapped me on the shoulder and told me I was starting. It was unfortunate for Quade, it would have been a tough call for him.
“To be honest I felt a lot more relaxed before I was told I was going to start. So I think that actually helped to be honest. I just grabbed it by the horns and tried to do my best for the team.
“Prepping for the game, obviously I go over my knowledge and my detail and then hoping I would get 10, 15, 20 minutes, and then I got the tap on the shoulder that I was starting.
“It took me a while to find my groove in the game but I am just happy we got that win.”
The summer tests form a key part of preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which will be staged in France. Australia – who have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-game Test series with England – are trying to scale the heights of world rugby once again. The Test series is being keenly followed by rugby fans all around the world, and it will give us an idea of how both sides are shaping.
Moreover, Australia’s Test series is garnering serious interest from bookmakers, particularly the best betting sites in Australia which will have a deep range of betting lines. For example, at bet365 and Unibet, you will find short odds for Australia to win the second Test, and both these sites are great for in-play rugby betting.
After an inconspicuous start, Australia turned the tide against England, and they are just 80 minutes away from wrapping up the series. Lolesio may only be 22 years old, but he’s had some tough lessons to take in his career, including his drop-kick which was charged down in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-final between the Brumbies and Blues.
Against England, Lolesio put his best foot forward and he made all the right noises. He will be on a mission to prove that he deserves to be a regular starter for the Wallabies.
