With first-choice fly-half Noah Lolesio ruled out through injury, we’re taking a look at who could replace the Australian playmaker against the British and Irish Lions.
Twenty-five-year-old Lolesio suffered a nasty-looking whiplash injury as the Wallabies beat Fiji 21-18 on Sunday.
After being taken to the hospital, he was initially discharged, giving hope that he may be fit for the test series.
But after further checks, he had neck surgery on Tuesday, ruling him out of the tour.
Rugby Australia said the fly-half “will spend a period of time away from the game during his rehabilitation”.
As a result, he is confirmed to be unavailable for the entire series against the Lions.
Noah Lolesio Injury A Massive Blow For Australian Rugby
Lolesio has made huge progress in recent years.
After being left out of Australia’s squad at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, he has reached new heights under head coach Joe Schmidt.
The Brumbies star is now the Wallabies’ first-choice at fly-half, starting five of the side’s six games in the Rugby Championship last summer.
He also started all four of the Aussies’ autumn internationals at the end of 2024.
But with the first test against the Lions coming on 19 July in Brisbane, Lolesio will be a big loss for Australia.
As a result, we’re examining who may be drafted in to replace him against the Lions
Who Could Replace Noah Lolesio After Injury?
Ben Donaldson
The most likely man to take on the 10 shirt is Ben Donaldson.
The 26-year-old has already faced the Lions this summer. He started at fullback for club side Western Force in the Lions’ opening game on tour.
That match ended in a 54-7 victory for the tourists, but Donaldson was a shining light in a poor Force team.
He would likely have started in the 15 jersey for the Wallabies had Lolesio not been injured.
But having started at fly-half on the international stage plenty of times, he is a natural option to slot in.
Tom Lynagh
Another possibility is young Tom Lynagh.
Son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, Tom grew up in England.
But the 22-year-old was part of Joe Schmidt’s squad against Fiji at the weekend.
An out-and-out fly-half, he is touted as a possible long-term option for Australia.
However, with just three senior caps, it seems unlikely the youngster would be thrown in to start against the Lions at this stage of his career.
James O’Connor
At the other end of the experience spectrum, Lolesio’s injury could mean a recall for veteran out-half James O’Connor.
The 35-year-old has just signed with English Premiership side Leicester Tigers, replacing the outgoing Handre Pollard.
With 64 caps, he has a huge amount of test nouse, and made his international debut as long ago as 2008.
But having not played for the Wallabies since 2022, some would argue O’Connor’s time has been and gone.
Bernard Foley
If O’Connor is not the answer, there’s another 35-year-old Wallabies stalwart still available.
Seventy-six times capped by Australia, Bernard Foley is the most-experienced option still playing.
But like O’Connor, he is 35 and a long time out of international rugby.
That may not count against him, though.
The Lions have themselves turned to a player in the international wilderness, with former England captain Owen Farrell called up to replace Elliot Daly.
Farrell hasn’t featured for England since the 2023 World Cup, so could we see two veterans face off for one last showdown?
British And Irish Lions Fixtures 2025
- Friday, 20 June – Lions 24-28 Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium)
- Saturday, 28 June – Lions 54-7 Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium)
- Wednesday, 2 July – Lions 52-12 Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
- Saturday, 5 July – Lions 21-10 Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium)
- Wednesday, 9 July – Lions v ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium)
- Saturday, 12 July – Lions v Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
- Saturday, 19 July – Lions v Australia, First Test, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
- Tuesday, 22 July – Lions v First Nations & Pasifika XV, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
- Saturday, 26 July – Lions v Australia, Second Test, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG)
- Saturday, 2 August – Lions v Australia, Third Test, Sydney (Accor Stadium)
