Wallabies LIVE: Australia take on Fiji in first Test of the year
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1.02pm
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12.53pm
The Flying Fijians lining up strongly
Former AFL ruckman turned rugby coach Mick Byrne is leading the Fiji team after success with the Drua and has named a very strong team in the steel city.
Salesi Rayasi the former New Zealand sevens star now playing for Vannes in France gets his debut for Fiji.
As ever, there is a strong Drua feel to the team, highlighting the strength of tried and tested combinations, particularly in the halves with Caleb Mutz and Simione Kuruvoli.
Josua Tuisova is one of the most dangerous backs in the world and will soon be a teammate of Taniela Tupou at Racing 92.
Jiuta Wainiqolo is also a star with Toulon in the Top 14.
Fiji are labelled underdogs at the bookmakers, but this is an extremely strong side who will be desperate to repeat the win over the Wallabies in the 2023 World Cup.
12.52pm
How the Wallabies are lining up
Some interesting selection decisions here by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
Veteran loosehead James Slipper will start ahead of Angus Bell and Dave Porecki is back in a Wallabies jersey at hooker after a long absence.
The absence of Rob Valetini has opened a slot for Waratahs player of the year Langi Gleeson who will relish the physical contest against the flying Fijiians.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen are back after injury interrupted seasons with NSW, with Harry Potter getting rewarded for his outstanding form for the Force.
Perennial breakdown pest Carlo Tizzano will be desperate to replace Fraser McReight and remind selectors why the number 7 Wallabies jumper isn't a foregone conclusion.
Finally, Tate McDermott gets a rare start with Jake Gordon nursing an injury and his sniping will set the Fiji team on edge.
12.52pm
Good afternoon to the true believers
Good afternoon to all of you.
The press box in Newcastle for the Wallabies first Test of the year will be some sight, after the weakened Waratahs shocked everyone with a performance for the ages against the best of Britain and Ireland last night. It kept everyone working in the wee small hours and why not?
Lions coach Andy Farrell accused the home side of their own watergate, with Waratahs coach Dan McKellar denying any water cans were used in his team's preparation in their brave 10-21 defeat.
Charlie Gamble was delivering beer eight years ago around Mascot and playing subbies on Camperdown Oval, he finished his night by completely outplaying 2022 World Rugby player of the year Josh Van der Flier.
It was the perfect entree for today's contest, the Wallabies almost at full-strength taking on a strong Fiji side in the steel city.
There is no Rob Valetini and Will Skelton who are nursing injuries that we have been told are not said to be serious enough to keep them out of the Lions series.
My decorated partner in the halves and former schoolboy rugby sensation Iain Payten is in Newcastle sending us his expert thoughts. I will be manning the blog, accompanied by my father from Belfast.
Here we go.
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ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Wallabies playmaker Lolesio ruled out of Lions series after 'successful' surgery
Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions series after undergoing surgery. Lolesio was stretchered from the field after appearing to suffer whiplash in an ugly second-half collision in the Wallabies' 21-18 win over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday. While the ACT Brumbies ace was initially cleared of a serious neck injury, he was readmitted to hospital on Tuesday for follow-up surgery. The Wallabies didn't reveal any further details of his injury, but said the 25-year-old would "spend a period of time away from the game" and was expected to make a full recovery. Lolesio's injury means he may have played his last Test for Australia, having signed to play in Japan. The Wallabies will name their squad for the three-Test Lions series on Friday, with the first match in Brisbane on July 19, with youthful duo Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson now expected to tussle to wear the No 10 jersey. Speaking ahead of the Lions clash with the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday night, Lions assistant coach Johnny Sexton was asked his thoughts on the Wallabies' fly-half candidates should Lolesio be ruled out. Lolesio had started 11 of the 13 Tests under Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. "I think Lynagh has been excellent all year. I think Donaldson did really well when he came on. I think they're both quality players," Sexton said. "But obviously Lolesio's their number one based on their last, whatever, 10 games. "He played the majority of the big games under Joe [Schmidt], so he'll know Joe's way. So he'll be a loss for them." The former Lions No 10 refused to bite when asked if he was surprised Schmidt opted not to select veteran playmaker James O'Connor. "I'm not going to question Joe Schmidt's selection, which is probably what you're hoping for, and create a headline," he said. "But no, outstanding three guys that are in there. "They're probably guys that know Joe's system, Joe's way of playing, and they're the three that Joe has gone with and the three we're preparing to play against." Despite hopes of a fairytale international farewell, O'Connor also missed out on a berth with the AUNZ Invitational squad to take on the Lions this Saturday. The visitors have not shied away from recalling a veteran fly-half of their own in Owen Farrell. In a bold move, Lions coach Andy Farrell drafted his 33-year-old son into the squad mid-way through the tour after Elliot Daly broke his arm against the Queensland Reds. Though Farrell hasn't played in 10 weeks since suffering a concussion with French side Racing 92, and has not been used by England in almost two years, Sexton backed him to make an immediate impact in his fourth Lions tour. "As you'd expect with someone with that experience, he's fitted in. He must have had the playbook on the plane on the way over because he came in and he's not missed a beat," Sexton said. "He's been on top of things in training and that's exactly why [Andy Farrell] picked someone with experience and knows about a Lions tour, because it might take someone else 10 days to fit in. Farrell was not named in the Lions squad to face the Brumbies on Wednesday but his father confirmed he was in contention for the AUNZ XV clash on Saturday. AAP
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Lolesio ruled out of Lions in blow for Wallabies hopes
Hours after he was lauded by legendary Irish fly-half Johnny Sexton, Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions series after undergoing surgery. Lolesio was stretchered from the field after appearing to suffer whiplash in an ugly second-half collision in the Wallabies' 21-18 win over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday. While the ACT Brumbies ace was initially cleared of a serious neck injury, he was readmitted to hospital on Tuesday for follow-up surgery. The Wallabies didn't reveal any further details of his injury and said the 25-year-old would "spend a period of time away from the game" and was expected to make a full recovery. Lolesio's injury means he may have played his last Test for Australia, having signed to play in Japan. The Wallabies will name their squad for the three-Test Lions series on Friday, with the first match in Brisbane on July 19, with youthful duo Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson now expected to tussle to wear the No.10 jersey. Speaking ahead of the Lions clash with the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday night, Lions assistant coach Sexton was asked his thoughts on the Wallabies' flyhalf candidates should Lolesio be ruled out. Lolesio had started 11 of the 13 Tests under Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. "I think Lynagh has been excellent all year. I think Donaldson did really well when he came on. I think they're both quality players," Sexton said. "But obviously Lolesio's their number one based on their last, whatever, 10 games. He played the majority of the big games under Joe (Schmidt), so he'll know Joe's way. So he'll be a loss for them." The former Lions No.10 refused to bite when asked if he was surprised Schmidt opted not to select veteran playmaker James O'Connor. "I'm not going to question Joe Schmidt's selection, which is probably what you're hoping for, and create a headline," he said. "But no, outstanding three guys that are in there. They're probably guys that know Joe's system, Joe's way of playing, and they're the three that Joe has gone with and the three we're preparing to play against." Despite hopes of a fairytale international farewell, O'Connor also missed out on a berth with the AUNZ Invitational squad to take on the Lions this Saturday. The visitors have not shied away from recalling a veteran fly-half of their own in Owen Farrell. In a bold move, Lions coach Andy Farrell drafted his 33-year-old son into the squad mid-way through the tour after Elliot Daly broke his arm against the Queensland Reds. Though Farrell hasn't played in 10 weeks since suffering a concussion with French side Racing 92, and has not been used by England in almost two years, Sexton backed him to make an immediate impact in his fourth Lions tour. "As you'd expect with someone with that experience, he's fitted in. He must have had the playbook on the plane on the way over because he came in and he's not missed a beat," Sexton said. "He's been on top of things in training and that's exactly why he (Andy Farrell) picked someone with experience and knows about a Lions tour, because it might take someone else 10 days to fit in. He's hit the ground running." Farrell was not named in the Lions squad to face the Brumbies on Wednesday but his father confirmed he was in contention for the AUNZ XV clash on Saturday. Hours after he was lauded by legendary Irish fly-half Johnny Sexton, Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions series after undergoing surgery. Lolesio was stretchered from the field after appearing to suffer whiplash in an ugly second-half collision in the Wallabies' 21-18 win over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday. While the ACT Brumbies ace was initially cleared of a serious neck injury, he was readmitted to hospital on Tuesday for follow-up surgery. The Wallabies didn't reveal any further details of his injury and said the 25-year-old would "spend a period of time away from the game" and was expected to make a full recovery. Lolesio's injury means he may have played his last Test for Australia, having signed to play in Japan. The Wallabies will name their squad for the three-Test Lions series on Friday, with the first match in Brisbane on July 19, with youthful duo Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson now expected to tussle to wear the No.10 jersey. Speaking ahead of the Lions clash with the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday night, Lions assistant coach Sexton was asked his thoughts on the Wallabies' flyhalf candidates should Lolesio be ruled out. Lolesio had started 11 of the 13 Tests under Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. "I think Lynagh has been excellent all year. I think Donaldson did really well when he came on. I think they're both quality players," Sexton said. "But obviously Lolesio's their number one based on their last, whatever, 10 games. He played the majority of the big games under Joe (Schmidt), so he'll know Joe's way. So he'll be a loss for them." The former Lions No.10 refused to bite when asked if he was surprised Schmidt opted not to select veteran playmaker James O'Connor. "I'm not going to question Joe Schmidt's selection, which is probably what you're hoping for, and create a headline," he said. "But no, outstanding three guys that are in there. They're probably guys that know Joe's system, Joe's way of playing, and they're the three that Joe has gone with and the three we're preparing to play against." Despite hopes of a fairytale international farewell, O'Connor also missed out on a berth with the AUNZ Invitational squad to take on the Lions this Saturday. The visitors have not shied away from recalling a veteran fly-half of their own in Owen Farrell. In a bold move, Lions coach Andy Farrell drafted his 33-year-old son into the squad mid-way through the tour after Elliot Daly broke his arm against the Queensland Reds. Though Farrell hasn't played in 10 weeks since suffering a concussion with French side Racing 92, and has not been used by England in almost two years, Sexton backed him to make an immediate impact in his fourth Lions tour. "As you'd expect with someone with that experience, he's fitted in. He must have had the playbook on the plane on the way over because he came in and he's not missed a beat," Sexton said. "He's been on top of things in training and that's exactly why he (Andy Farrell) picked someone with experience and knows about a Lions tour, because it might take someone else 10 days to fit in. He's hit the ground running." Farrell was not named in the Lions squad to face the Brumbies on Wednesday but his father confirmed he was in contention for the AUNZ XV clash on Saturday. Hours after he was lauded by legendary Irish fly-half Johnny Sexton, Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions series after undergoing surgery. Lolesio was stretchered from the field after appearing to suffer whiplash in an ugly second-half collision in the Wallabies' 21-18 win over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday. While the ACT Brumbies ace was initially cleared of a serious neck injury, he was readmitted to hospital on Tuesday for follow-up surgery. The Wallabies didn't reveal any further details of his injury and said the 25-year-old would "spend a period of time away from the game" and was expected to make a full recovery. Lolesio's injury means he may have played his last Test for Australia, having signed to play in Japan. The Wallabies will name their squad for the three-Test Lions series on Friday, with the first match in Brisbane on July 19, with youthful duo Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson now expected to tussle to wear the No.10 jersey. Speaking ahead of the Lions clash with the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday night, Lions assistant coach Sexton was asked his thoughts on the Wallabies' flyhalf candidates should Lolesio be ruled out. Lolesio had started 11 of the 13 Tests under Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. "I think Lynagh has been excellent all year. I think Donaldson did really well when he came on. I think they're both quality players," Sexton said. "But obviously Lolesio's their number one based on their last, whatever, 10 games. He played the majority of the big games under Joe (Schmidt), so he'll know Joe's way. So he'll be a loss for them." The former Lions No.10 refused to bite when asked if he was surprised Schmidt opted not to select veteran playmaker James O'Connor. "I'm not going to question Joe Schmidt's selection, which is probably what you're hoping for, and create a headline," he said. "But no, outstanding three guys that are in there. They're probably guys that know Joe's system, Joe's way of playing, and they're the three that Joe has gone with and the three we're preparing to play against." Despite hopes of a fairytale international farewell, O'Connor also missed out on a berth with the AUNZ Invitational squad to take on the Lions this Saturday. The visitors have not shied away from recalling a veteran fly-half of their own in Owen Farrell. In a bold move, Lions coach Andy Farrell drafted his 33-year-old son into the squad mid-way through the tour after Elliot Daly broke his arm against the Queensland Reds. Though Farrell hasn't played in 10 weeks since suffering a concussion with French side Racing 92, and has not been used by England in almost two years, Sexton backed him to make an immediate impact in his fourth Lions tour. "As you'd expect with someone with that experience, he's fitted in. He must have had the playbook on the plane on the way over because he came in and he's not missed a beat," Sexton said. "He's been on top of things in training and that's exactly why he (Andy Farrell) picked someone with experience and knows about a Lions tour, because it might take someone else 10 days to fit in. He's hit the ground running." Farrell was not named in the Lions squad to face the Brumbies on Wednesday but his father confirmed he was in contention for the AUNZ XV clash on Saturday.
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Noah Lolesio ruled out of Australia's series against the British and Irish Lions after having neck surgery
Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio will miss Australia's three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions after undergoing neck surgery on Tuesday. Lolesio suffered a whiplash injury in the Wallabies' 21-18 win over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday. He went to hospital, but was discharged that night. However, following a further medical check-up, 25-year-old Lolesio had surgery on Tuesday afternoon. with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt saying the operation was 'successful'. '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,' Schmidt said. 'Further to that, it's an added relief for everyone, especially his family, that successful surgery now has him on the road to recovery.' Lolesio is expected to make a 'full recovery', according to a Rugby Australia statement. 'He will spend a period of time away from the game during his rehabilitation,' the RA statement also said. Candidates to replace Lolesio in the Australia's No.10 jersey for the first Test against the Lions on Saturday week in Brisbane include Ben Donaldson, Tom Lynagh and Tane Edmed, while veteran James O'Connor could be called into the extended squad which is set to be named later this week.
