Wallabies playmaker in major doubt for Lions series with neck injury

Wallabies five-eighth Noah Lolesio is in major doubt for the British and Irish Lions Test series due to the neck whiplash injury suffered in Australia’s win over Fiji in Newcastle.

Lolesio was taken from the field on a medicab in a neck brace after being injured when tackled in the second half, and was later taken to Newcastle Hospital.

The Wallabies released a statement on Sunday night saying Lolesio had been discharged and “cleared of significant damage” and would be monitored.

But, the severity of the neck injury has been greater than initially thought, according to informed sources, and Lolesio was due to see a specialist in Brisbane on Monday, with the chance that the 25-year-old could require surgery.

It was the second neck injury for Lolesio in nine weeks, after the Brumbies playmaker was taken to hospital in Perth in early May after being rolled awkwardly in a ruck against the Western Force. A few weeks after that injury, Lolesio was given the all-clear and returned to the field.

The news leaves the Wallabies in a crisis ahead of the first Test in Brisbane on July 19, with only one fit five-eighth in the existing squad named to play Fiji: Ben Donaldson.

Australia’s Noah Lolesio leaves the field after a heavy tackle against Fiji in NewcastleCredit: AP

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will name his squad for the Lions series on Friday.

Tom Lynagh was also named in the squad but did not train fully with the Wallabies in Newcastle. He is still recovering from a broken hand suffered while playing for the Reds in the Super Rugby finals.

Waratahs No.10 Tane Edmed was also with the Wallabies camp in Newcastle but has been released to start for the AUNZ team against the British and Irish Lions in Adelaide on Saturday.

Noah Lolesio of the Wallabies passes the ballCredit: Getty Images

Schmidt said post-game in Newcastle that there was no immediate need to call in an experienced five-eighth, but he has previously admitted to speaking to veteran duo James O’Connor and Bernard Foley.

O’Connor was the Wallabies No.10 in the 2013 Lions series in Australia and just won a Super Rugby title with the Crusaders, while Foley played his last Test in 2022.

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