Latest news with #BenDonaldson
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
British & Irish Lions 27, Australia 19
Brisbane, Australia Suncorp Stadium Saturday British & Irish Lions 27 (Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Curry, Dan Sheehan tries; Finn Russell 3 conversions, penalty, Marcus Smith penalty), Australia 19 (Max Jorgensen, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott tries; Ben Donaldson 2 conversions). HT: 17-5
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lolesio's substitute can shine: Wallabies great Giteau
Test centurion Matt Giteau believes Ben Donaldson should wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey against the British and Irish Lions, but says it's "silly" not to include a veteran playmaker in the squad. With first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio ruled out of the series after neck surgery, Donaldson and Tom Lynagh are the front-runners for the role for the opening Test in Brisbane on July 19. Giteau, who played at both 10 and 12 for Australia during his 103 Tests, told AAP that Donaldson showed enough in the Wallabies' last-ditch win over Fiji to be given first start. Speedy recovery Noah 🙏🔗 Read more - — Wallabies (@wallabies) July 8, 2025 The Western Force star replaced Lolesio, who suffered a whiplash injury in a tackle, and Giteau was impressed by his composure as well as his skill during his 19 minutes on the field. "With Noah unavailable, Ben Donaldson looks like first-choice 10 to me," said Giteau, who is an ambassador for Lions Tour official sleep partner Resmed. "His obvious ability to carry, he keeps the defence guessing, and he's got a really good kicking game. "When he came on for that limited time against Fiji, the Wallabies were up against the flow of the game, heavily, and he was able to get them back on track. "His penalty kick to the sideline with three minutes to go showed a lot of courage, you know. He went for it and it was a beautiful kick. "Got us down their end, and then off the back of that we were able to get a maul penalty ... and then able to get over the line and get the win. "So I just think his composure in the first Test of the season, especially in an important time in the game, he showed a lot there, so I think Joe (Schmidt) will get a lot of confidence out of his performance." Back in 2015 then Test coach Michael Cheika recalled 92-capped Giteau from France to bolster his squad leading into the World Cup, with the relaxation in overseas selection dubbed the Giteau Law. The former Brumbies and Force player was instrumental in helping Australia make the final in England, with Cheika lauding his big-match experience. Giteau said underdogs Australia would benefit from coach Schmidt including a veteran such as James O'Connor, Kurtley Beale or Bernard Foley when the squad for the Lions is named on Friday. He likened it to the Lions flying in Owen Farrell, who is the only player in their squad to have gone on four Lions tours, winning in 2013 against the Wallabies. "They've seen so many different defence pictures in their time that they can help these young 10s if they are faced with a certain situation in those games, they can prepare them," said 42-year-old Giteau, who only retired last year. "You look at Owen Farrell's inclusion, what he's bringing is leadership and experience - he's the only one in that group that's won a Lions series. "James (O'Connor) and Kurtley (Beale) were part of the previous tour 12 years ago, and Bernard has got big-game experience as well, so these guys have been there and done that. "To not include any of them this second time around, I think would be silly when they've got so much that they can add and help, not only young 10s, but just the whole squad in general." Exiled by then Wallabies coach Robbie Deans before the 2011 World Cup, Giteau's shift to France meant he didn't face the Lions in 2013. He was only a teenager making his Super debut during the previous series in 2001. Giteau said it was only now that he realised the magnitude of missing out on ever playing the Lions, despite a 20-plus year career. "In 2013 when they came I was in France ... and 2001 I just finished school, so I wasn't really reading papers or going to games, so I didn't really understand how massive this opportunity is,'' he said. "But then to sit back and reflect and know that I played over 20 years professionally, but never got the opportunity to play in a Lions series, it is special, and I think the players know that."
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Lolesio's substitute can shine: Wallabies great Giteau
Test centurion Matt Giteau believes Ben Donaldson should wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey against the British and Irish Lions, but says it's "silly" not to include a veteran playmaker in the squad. With first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio ruled out of the series after neck surgery, Donaldson and Tom Lynagh are the front-runners for the role for the opening Test in Brisbane on July 19. Giteau, who played at both 10 and 12 for Australia during his 103 Tests, told AAP that Donaldson showed enough in the Wallabies' last-ditch win over Fiji to be given first start. The Western Force star replaced Lolesio, who suffered a whiplash injury in a tackle, and Giteau was impressed by his composure as well as his skill during his 19 minutes on the field. "With Noah unavailable, Ben Donaldson looks like first-choice 10 to me," said Giteau, who is an ambassador for Lions Tour official sleep partner Resmed. "His obvious ability to carry, he keeps the defence guessing, and he's got a really good kicking game. "When he came on for that limited time against Fiji, the Wallabies were up against the flow of the game, heavily, and he was able to get them back on track. "His penalty kick to the sideline with three minutes to go showed a lot of courage, you know. He went for it and it was a beautiful kick. "Got us down their end, and then off the back of that we were able to get a maul penalty ... and then able to get over the line and get the win. "So I just think his composure in the first Test of the season, especially in an important time in the game, he showed a lot there, so I think Joe (Schmidt) will get a lot of confidence out of his performance." Back in 2015 then Test coach Michael Cheika recalled 92-capped Giteau from France to bolster his squad leading into the World Cup, with the relaxation in overseas selection dubbed the Giteau Law. The former Brumbies and Force player was instrumental in helping Australia make the final in England, with Cheika lauding his big-match experience. Giteau said underdogs Australia would benefit from coach Schmidt including a veteran such as James O'Connor, Kurtley Beale or Bernard Foley when the squad for the Lions is named on Friday. He likened it to the Lions flying in Owen Farrell, who is the only player in their squad to have gone on four Lions tours, winning in 2013 against the Wallabies. "They've seen so many different defence pictures in their time that they can help these young 10s if they are faced with a certain situation in those games, they can prepare them," said 42-year-old Giteau, who only retired last year. "You look at Owen Farrell's inclusion, what he's bringing is leadership and experience - he's the only one in that group that's won a Lions series. "James (O'Connor) and Kurtley (Beale) were part of the previous tour 12 years ago, and Bernard has got big-game experience as well, so these guys have been there and done that. "To not include any of them this second time around, I think would be silly when they've got so much that they can add and help, not only young 10s, but just the whole squad in general." Exiled by then Wallabies coach Robbie Deans before the 2011 World Cup, Giteau's shift to France meant he didn't face the Lions in 2013. He was only a teenager making his Super debut during the previous series in 2001. Giteau said it was only now that he realised the magnitude of missing out on ever playing the Lions, despite a 20-plus year career. "In 2013 when they came I was in France ... and 2001 I just finished school, so I wasn't really reading papers or going to games, so I didn't really understand how massive this opportunity is,'' he said. "But then to sit back and reflect and know that I played over 20 years professionally, but never got the opportunity to play in a Lions series, it is special, and I think the players know that."
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Australia's Noah Lolesio to miss Lions Test series due to neck injury
Australia have suffered a significant setback with confirmation that their first-choice outhalf, Noah Lolesio, will miss the Lions series through injury. Lolesio has undergone surgery on his neck and the Wallabies coach, Joe Schmidt , will now have to select a different playmaker and goal kicker for next week's first Test in Brisbane. The two main candidates are Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh, but Lolesio has started 12 of the past 14 Australia Tests under Schmidt and his absence will be keenly felt. Other possible alternatives include the veterans James O'Connor and Bernard Foley, both of whom are 35 and have been playing in New Zealand and Japan respectively. [ Australia secure controversial late win over Fiji with disputed try Opens in new window ] It is far from ideal for Schmidt, with Lynagh having also had fitness problems. The Wallabies' chances of winning the best-of-three series will be sharply reduced if they are hit by injuries in key positions and, ideally, they need a outhalf capable of outplaying the Lions' talented number 10 Finn Russell. Noah Lolesio in Sunday's Australia v Fiji Test match in Newcastle. Photograph: Jason McCawley/Getty It is also rotten luck for Lolesio, who was taken from the field on a medical cart during Sunday's win over Fiji in Newcastle, but was later discharged from hospital. Rugby Australia initially advised that Lolesio had been 'cleared of significant damage', but now say he was readmitted for surgery on Tuesday after further medical assessment. They said he will be out 'for the foreseeable future', but that he is expected to make a full recovery. READ MORE The 25-year-old Lolesio, who has won 30 caps, has had a rough time recently. He suffered a similar problem for the Brumbies against the Western Force in May and has had to leave the field injured in three of his past five games. On this occasion he was hit hard in a legal tackle by Fiji's Elia Canakaivata and was treated for several minutes before being carried off. '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,' said Schmidt. 'Further to that, it's an added relief for everyone, especially his family, that successful surgery now has him on the road to recovery.' Donaldson, who featured at fullback for the Western Force against the Lions, will now be favourite to wear the outhalf jersey in Brisbane on Saturday week. Further options may include Tane Edmed or Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, both of whom have been named in the Australia and New Zealand Invitational XV squad to face the Lions in Adelaide on Saturday. - Guardian
ABC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- 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
