Wallabies vs France: Noah Lolesio stakes claim to start at five-eighth in first Test
Noah Lolesio has delivered his sales pitch to be the Wallabies five-eighth for the opening Test against France, arguing he is a much improved player compared with last year's rookie model.
The 21-year-old has been sharing the No.10 role with Reece Hodge at training, as first choice James O'Connor continues his comeback from a neck injury in Super Rugby.
"I'm not sure where he is at, to be honest," Wallabies halfback Tate McDermott said of O'Connor on Tuesday.
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James O'Connor passes during a Wallabies training session at Sanctuary Cove. Getty
"He's always in the background somewhere talking to boys like Lenny (Ikitau) and Hunter (Paisami). He's definitely been around a lot and he was running the other day."
With game one in Brisbane looming fast on July 7, Rugby Heaven's Morgan Turinui said Lolesio appealed as the "logical" option to start.
Turinui also opened the floor for Lolesio to stake his claim on Stan Sport.
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Noah Lolesio poses at Event Cinemas Coomera. Getty
"I definitely feel that over the last year I've matured a lot as a footballer," the Brumbies pivot said.
"Physically I've developed a lot and mentally, more tactical awareness on when to play, when not to play, in your own half and so on. I feel like mentally I'm a lot more engaged and have more tactical leadership behind me. I'm always looking to challenge the line and make defenders make decisions.
"If it's not on for me then it must be on somewhere else... If I get the call up I'll be very stoked but if not I'll just do my job for the team."
Noah Lolesio scores his first try against the All Blacks. Getty
Lolesio played two Tests for the Wallabies last year and coach Dave Rennie is a huge fan.
"He's the logical one, he's been in that environment last year, got a taste of Test footy - obviously his second experience was a lot better than his first," Turinui said.
"There's guys like Reece Hodge who have been there before, he's coming back from injury himself, he's (Lolesio) definitely in the driver's seat."
Rugby Heaven colleague Drew Mitchell's ears pricked up when Lolesio revealed he had been rooming with Reds centre Hunter Paisami on the Gold Coast.
"Often the rooming is a little bit of an indication," Mitchell said.
"There's always things that you want to look into - what bib you get, who you get paired up with, maybe get a bit of a combination with the 10 and the 12, Paisami and Lolesio, off the field as well."
