EXCLUSIVE: Matt Burke predicts 'line in the sand' ending for Noah Lolesio as Wallabies five-eighth after Japan defection

Wallabies great Matt Burke has declared Noah Lolesio's time as Wallabies five-eighth is over after his decision to play club rugby in Japan next year.

Lolesio has been the most regular No.10 under coach Joe Schmidt but now puts his position at risk for the British and Irish Lions tour.

Schmidt has taken a stance during his reign of not picking players who have signed overseas. Langi Gleeson had his invitation to a camp withdrawn due to his decision to play in France next year and in 2027.

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Lolesio has since revealed the decision was due to the ongoing uncertainty around who will replace Schmidt as Wallabies coach.

"Joe not being here after The Rugby Championship definitely made it tougher for me to stay, to be honest," Lolesio said on Monday.

"Just the unknown of who the next coach will be. And me potentially, if I do stay, then go through the whole cycle again.

"I'm not putting it on Joe because I totally understand why he's leaving. He's got a family, he's got to look after his family as well. I'm forever thankful for what he's done for me and my career, especially last year. And I thanked him on that as well.

"That was probably one of the main reasons why I decided to head overseas."

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Speaking on Stan Sport's Between Two Posts, Burke believes the Brumbies five-eighth will now have trouble making an appearance in the green and gold.

"I reckon that's it," he said.

"(Ben) Donaldson comes into the box seat now as well having previously played there, he kicks goals, can play fullback as well so there's a bit of cover there.

"I think also in the mix comes Tom Lynagh, he's been playing well, I know he didn't start on the weekend but he's been playing well.

"I don't think anyone from the Waratahs would be in the mix at the moment."

Lolesio's decision continues the trend of players playing their trade overseas, with Super Rugby clubs unable to match the money on offer in other leagues.

Burke described it as a "money vs. country" situation.

"We're seeing money is putting that line in the sand," he said.

While Burke predicted the end for Lolesio, former Wallaby Morgan Turinui wasn't certain.

"It's hard to know with Joe Schmidt here. I'm big on best player, if he is deserving of being the Wallabies 10 in the Lions series, pick him, we need to win the series," he said.

"You've also got to be significantly better, be the obvious choice. If Angus Bell did the same thing, we're picking Angus Bell because he's better, we need him.

"Noah is, for example, in a fight with Lynagh and Donaldson and if you're Joe Schmidt and thinking, toss of a coin, maybe that comes into it. It's not just about '25 it's about the next two years to come, it's about winning a Bledisloe back and going well in the World Cup, (and he may think) well I might as well pick the two guys that are going to be here, I understand that.

"But if the Brumbies win the comp, and Noah leads them to winning the comp and he plays a little bit better than he has since coming back, and is the outstanding No.10 in Australia, I'd pick him for the Lions camp."