Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio has had surgery on an injury sustained against Fiji and will will miss the three-Test Series against the British and Irish Lions.
It’s a hammer blow to the Wallabies as Joe Schmidt loses the services of his first-choice number 10, who was carted off the pitch during Australia’s nail-biting 21-18 victory over the Fijians.
Lolesio had neck surgery on Tuesday after a whiplash injury during the match and has been ruled out for the foreseeable future.
“Rugby Australia and the Wallabies can confirm Noah Lolesio has had successful surgery today,” a statement read.
“Lolesio sustained an on-field injury in the second half of the Test against Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday. After being initially discharged from hospital on Sunday night, Lolesio was readmitted for surgery this afternoon following a further medical follow-up.
“He is expected to make a full recovery and will spend a period of time away from the game during his rehabilitation. Rugby Australia and the Wallabies will continue to support Noah and his family during this time.”
Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt added: “Firstly, we were relieved that Noah was up and moving well when he returned to the team hotel after his initial hospital visit in Newcastle on Sunday. Further to that, it’s an added relief for everyone, especially his family, that successful surgery now has him on the road to recovery.”
Speaking after the match, Schmidt was hopeful that the playmaker’s injury was not a serious one, but his worst fears have since been confirmed.
The Wallabies boss rejected the notion that a more experienced fly-half was needed for the series, pointing to the performance of Ben Donaldson, who shifted into the role following Lolesio’s injury.
“We obviously haven’t selected our Lions squad, this was one game that sat before that, and we will sit down and consider our options,” he said.
“If you look at what Ben Donaldson did, I’m not sure that he didn’t do what exactly he needed to do. He put us in the corner, and he did what was needed to make sure we were in the game at the end and got the game done.”
Schmidt has previously revealed that he has had conversations with the likes of James O’Connor and Bernard Foley, who could potentially be brought into the squad ahead of the three Tests against the Lions.
Currently, Donaldson (17), Reds playmaker Tom Lynagh (4) and Brumbies-bound Tane Edmed (1) are the fly-half options in the squad but have a combined Test cap tally of just 22 caps.
