Wallabies great Stephen Larkham hopes another national team axing for Noah Lolesio won’t shatter the young five-eighth’s confidence and will instead spur him to new heights.
Larkham, who is Lolesio’s club coach at the ACT Brumbies, was shocked the 23-year-old did not feature in Wallabies coach Eddie Jones’ training camp squad after an impressive start to the Super Rugby campaign.
Jones instead opted to take Melbourne’s Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson of the NSW Waratahs.
Queensland’s Tom Lynagh was not considered due to injury, while overseas-based talents Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper will link with the group via Zoom.
Lolesio did not enjoy the easiest 2022 international season. He was in and out of the Wallabies side and later said he had “gone into his shell” over the last two years as he struggled with his confidence.
Larkham, who won more than 100 caps with the Wallabies, said Jones had discussed with Lolesio how to play himself back into the selection frame, but suggested the five-eighth remained confused about his status within the national team.
“Some of the selections over the last couple of years with the Wallabies have been really tough for him to understand where he sits within the framework of Rugby Australia,” Larkham said.
“It’s just another one of those. He’s had quite a few of those disappointing moments where he’s a little bit confused as to what he should be doing.
“Confidence is certainly a key part of his game. He’s not going to change his game, there’s no reason to change his game.
“He’s still looking for the opportunities to inject himself in the game. He’s got a senior role (with the Brumbies) where he’s got to steer the guys around the paddock, so he’s going to be firstly focused on that.”
With their Brumbies flying at 5-1, Larkham backed Lolesio to show Jones he belongs in Australia’s World Cup squad.
“He’s been doing a really good job for us, he’s been playing the game we want him to play and his combination with (halfback Nic White) has been going exceptionally well for us,” Larkham said.
“It was tough news for Noah, and a little bit surprising for the coaches, to see that name not on the list.
“But it’s a challenge now for Noah to step up and see what he can deliver when things haven’t gone his way.”
By Alex Mitchell in Canberra
