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Super Rugby trials heating up as big names return
By AAP
Two contenders for a plum Wallabies playmaking role will begin their campaigns this weekend in Super Rugby Pacific trial matches.
Cast aside by Eddie Jones, ACT Brumbies five-eighth Noah Lolesio is in the starting line-up for his side's trip to Perth to take on the Western Force and will be keen to make a good first impression on new national team boss Joe Schmidt.
And Queensland young gun Tom Lynagh has beaten a back issue and will come off the bench in the Reds' game against the NSW Waratahs in Roma.
Lynagh is heading into his sophomore season with the Reds.
Both he and Lolesio watched on as Melbourne's Carter Gordon and Force recruit Ben Donaldson shared the No.10 role at last year's World Cup.
Lolesio, who has already made 20 appearances for the Wallabies, will be making his return to the Brumbies after spending the World Cup period playing with French club Toulon.
Fellow Wallabies James Skipper and Tom Wright are also set for their first trial game for the Brumbies, which is set for scorching 38C conditions in Perth.
"We had a few issues in training (on Thursday) and we made a couple of changes there, and then there's a couple of guys who are longer-term injured who aren't quite right for this game," coach Stephen Larkham said.
"Outside of that, it's certainly our strongest team.
"We had a pre-season week leading into that game (but) this week we've had an in-season week."
Captain and star prop Allan Alaalatoa headlines the long-term injury list, still recovering from a ruptured achilles suffered in a Bledisloe Cup Test last July.
Former Wallaby Connal McInerney and utility back Ben O'Donnell are also out for an extended period, while Ed Kennedy (infection) and Sefo Kautai (neck) are racing the clock to be fit for round one.
Force recruit Nic White won't yet get his first chance to take on his former side, having to sit out with a bicep injury.
Lynagh is a step ahead of James O'Connor in the race for the Reds' five-eighth job, with the veteran still sitting out with a hamstring injury.
The Waratahs have named gun winger Mark Nawaqanitawase for his first run of the year, in what will be his final campaign for NSW before he joins NRL's Sydney Roosters in 2025.
He will pair with fellow returning star winger Dylan Pietsch, with captain Jake Gordon also back in the side.
Melbourne will be in action the following Friday against the Fijian Drua.
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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