In a worrying incident during Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific match against the Western Force, ACT Brumbies player Noah Lolesio was stretchered off the field at HBF Park, raising serious concerns about his condition. Lolesio suffered an injury while attempting to support his teammate Tom Wright in a breakdown, as he was caught awkwardly in a ruck with several Force defenders.
Cameron Shepherd, reporting from the sidelines, expressed the gravity of the situation, indicating there are significant concerns regarding Lolesio’s health. While the exact nature of the injury is still unclear, initial reports confirm it involves the spine. Shepherd highlighted a silver lining: Lolesio is able to move his arms and legs, which is a positive sign.
Lolesio, who is the current Wallabies playmaker, is expected to transition to club rugby in Japan next year. As the situation unfolded, former rugby player Tim Horan remarked on the implications for Australian rugby, questioning whether this would mark the end of Lolesio’s season and his participation in the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour.
Declan Meredith stepped in as Lolesio’s replacement during the match. This incident followed closely on the heels of another concerning injury involving Lolesio’s Wallabies teammate, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was also stretchered off after receiving a knee to his head during a match against the NSW Waratahs. Although Suaalii was diagnosed with a category one concussion, he was ultimately cleared of severe injury.
At the time of Lolesio’s injury, the Brumbies were leading 14-7, thanks to tries from Len Ikitau and Corey Toole, which outshone a single try from Force flanker Kane Koteka, who had been a late substitute for Wallabies player Carlo Tizzano due to a pectoral injury.
The rugby community awaits further updates on Lolesio’s condition, as the implications of his injury could have a lasting impact not just on his career but also on Australian rugby’s landscape moving forward.