Wallabies five-eighth Noah Lolesio wants to extend his stay in Japan, but acknowledged his continued absence from Australia could jeopardise his immediate Test hopes.
Places for overseas-based Wallabies have grown tighter after RA director of high-performance Peter Horne told this masthead the governing body still uses the 2022 iteration of its policy on overseas players, dubbed the “Giteau Law”, which allows just three players based outside Australia to be selected.
Lolesio starred on Sunday for his Japanese side Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi in a 34-27 win against Kintetsu Liners, scoring a try and kicking eight points to help his team clinch the division two title and a place in the promotion playoff later this month. Lolesio originally signed for one year in Japan, with an option to extend his stay for a second season.
The 26-year-old suffered a serious neck injury last July in the Test against Fiji ahead of the British and Irish Lions series, fearing at one stage he would be paralysed.
Lolesio has started ten games for Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi, becoming a key figure in their promotion push. The playmaker has remained in close contact with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and hasn’t given up hope of a Test recall.
“Getting these boys promoted to division one would play a huge factor [in staying] … playing rugby here in Japan is definitely something that I’ll be keen to do,” Lolesio said.
“Obviously, through my form and performances here in Japan, I do hope to get the call-up with the Wallabies. It’s a massive honour to put on that gold jersey. But at the same time, I completely understand if they select the boys playing back home, because they’re playing good footy as well.
“It’s probably a good problem to have. There are a lot of good fly-halves in Australia.”
Lolesio is enjoying life in the small city of Kariya and has graduated from Google Translate to holding conversations in basic Japanese with teammates and locals.
Lolesio recently caught up with Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase in Bondi to brief him on what to expect ahead of his move to Saitama Wild Knights in Division One.
“I literally just saw him in Sydney a few weeks ago, and I had a good catch-up with him,” Lolesio said. “He’s really excited and I couldn’t be happier for him. I was just telling him what it’s like over here, but honestly, there’s no stress about him, he’ll thrive here and will do a really good job for his team.”
Lolesio on Sunday faced Springboks playmaker Manie Libbok, now plying his trade at the Liners, and insists the standard in Japan’s division two is higher than many realise.
“I feel like definitely the misconception is that it’s easy,” Lolesio said. “It’s definitely not, I can tell you that right now. I think that’s probably the biggest thing that boys back home think, [that] they can just come here and park up and just let things happen.
“But there are a lot of different challenges that come with playing in Japan. It’s just something completely different. It’s really hard to explain, but you just have to be here to experience it.
“Returning back to Australia eventually is the plan for me, I’m young now, so I can experience all of this and then maybe one day, who knows when that is, but I’ll definitely be keen to return to Australia, wherever that is.”
Meanwhile, Super Rugby has backed its officials after the Queensland Reds lodged a formal complaint with the competition over the standard of refereeing in their controversial loss to the Chiefs on Friday.
Reds second-rower Seru Uru looked to have scored a try shortly before half-time, but referee Marcus Playle ruled the ball was held up before seeking a TMO review.
TMO Glenn Newman then took 26 seconds to decide there was no clear evidence to overturn the original decision, and the half-time whistle was blown.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, Super Rugby backed the original decision from the officials and said Newman had viewed all the clear angles available to him.
“Super Rugby Pacific management has reviewed the ‘held up’ decision involving Queensland Reds forward Seru Uru just prior to half-time in last Friday’s game between the Reds and Chiefs.
“It was confirmed the television match official (TMO) viewed all available angles of the play while reviewing the on-field decision.
“The TMO identified evidence the ball had been grounded however could not find clear and obvious evidence the ball was grounded on or over the tryline, which would be required to overturn the on-field decision.”
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