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With Australia’s World Cup approaching, Lolesio signed a three-month contract with Toulon as a ‘clown’. The glamour club, once home to Matt Guito and Sonny Bill Williams, was impressed by him and wanted Lolesio to return after his contract with the Brumbies expired this year.
“Obviously, last year was a bit strange. I was completely out of the Wallabies squad and that probably affected me a lot,” Lolesio told the newspaper.
Noah Lolesio will play against the All Blacks in Perth in 2021.Credit: Getty
“But I believe everything happens for a reason. It gave me an opportunity to go to Toulon and I had a really good time there. It put everything into perspective and the guys there were great. If I had joined the Australian team I wouldn’t have had that opportunity.
“Coming back home has been nothing but good for me and my game. I learned how to enjoy the game there and I brought that into this season. I just let myself relax a little bit and didn’t put as much pressure on myself as I did in previous years.
“I really try to enjoy training and games because I tend to play my best when I’m having fun and enjoying my football. It’s more of a mindset shift.”
While both Gordon and Donaldson have shown form, Lolesio’s mature command of the Brumbies all season – and his pinpoint finishing – makes him a likely candidate for a return to the No.10 role.
“I could have easily pulled up and thought, ‘Well, I’m not with the Wallabies anymore, I don’t know where my place is’, so I could have easily said, ‘See you later’,” Lolesio said.
“But it’s a full-circle moment. I definitely think my time there made me a better player. Obviously, that kind of experience you wouldn’t get in Australia.
“For me it was more of a gut feeling (re-signing). I believe the Brumbies are playing their best football for years. The British and Irish Lions will also be involved next year and I can do my best for that as well. If all goes well then hopefully I can stay longer.”
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As trials for the Wallabies go, Lolesio’s Brumbies victory over a high-flying Blues in the Eden Park semi-final will be an achievement that will be hard to top; especially considering Schmidt was the coach in Auckland two seasons ago.
Lolesio is the highest scoring player in Super Rugby, second only to Damian McKenzie.
“No challenge could be greater than this, playing a night game against the Blues at Eden Park with a bit of dew on the ground,” Lolesio said.
“In previous years, we have lost in the semi-finals, but I believe our entire team has learned from those experiences and that has prepared us well for this week’s game. I think we are capable and ready for anything that may happen.”
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