Australian rugby is holding its breath after incumbent Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio was stretchered off early during the Brumbies’ visit to the Western Force in Perth on Saturday evening.
After the Force turned the Brumbies around with a long kick midway through the first half, the 25-year-old attempted a desperate cleanout after Tom Wright took the ball in contact.
But the playmaker was folded back under the weight of a series of flying Force bodies, who successfully counter-rucked and won the ball.
Play stopped moments later as the Force won a penalty after Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan was caught offside at the ruck.
Lolesio, meanwhile, looked in agony and was quickly met by the Brumbies’ medical team.
Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio is stretchered from the field midway through the first half against the Force in Perth on May 10. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
The Japan-bound Wallaby was eventually taken off by a stretcher.
“There’s a huge amount of concern around Noah Lolesio,” former Wallaby turned Stan commentator Cameron Shepherd said.
Shepherd – Stan’s sideline commentator – later confirmed Lolesio had suffered a spinal injury.
“The good news is he’s moving his arms and legs,” Shepherd said. “They’ve confirmed it’s a spinal injury.”
Lolesio started in 11 of 13 Tests in Joe Schmidt’s first year in charge of the Wallabies in 2025.
