Noah Lolesio inched closer to wearing the No.10 jersey against the British and Irish Lions over the weekend without even playing.

With Lolesio’s Brumbies enjoying a weekend off, his rivals, who have committed to Australian rugby going forward, had the chance to give Joe Schmidt something to think about.

By late Saturday night the decision became all the easier because no one stood up.

Noah Lolesio . (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Tom Lynagh’s physical vulnerabilities were exposed after he slipped off tackles, while Ben Donaldson failed to step up against his old side as the re-signed playmaker was guilty of playing too laterally. The failure to find touch from a penalty midway through the second half was a coach-killer, too.

Tane Edmed, meanwhile, was overshadowed by his teammate Jack Bowen, who came off the bench and delivered a wet weather masterclass.

With the current generation of Wallabies playmakers failing to step up, it also gave more oxygen to James O’Connor’s hopes of a recall.

All eyes will be on Saturday’s clash between Lolesio’s Brumbies and O’Connor’s Crusaders in the nation’s capital.

Thor shouldn’t be near the Wallabies squad – but Schmidt might not have another option but to pick him

Taniela Tupou was right earlier in the month when he said he shouldn’t be in the squad to face the Lions.

While he took a step forward over the past fortnight, he went backwards against the Force.

His “crazy” trip early in the second half was a brain explosion of the highest order.

He later was pinged for angling in at the scrum when the Waratahs opted for a scrum underneath the Force’s goal posts.

Has there ever been a player fall off a bigger cliff?

Taniela Tupou’s struggles continued against the Force. (Photo by Mark Kolbe Photography/Getty Images)

The issue is the Wallabies have serious issues at tight-head prop.

While Allan Alaalatoa has been in outstanding form, elsewhere the options are thin.

Zane Nonggorr struggled against the Hurricanes on Friday night at the set-piece and he was packing down against Xavier Numia, who is damaging in the open but no set-piece weapon.

It’s more than likely that Tom Robertson will challenge Tupou for a place on the bench.

While Robertson is hardly a force to be reckoned with at the scrum, he is excellent around the park and his work rate is exceptional.

Schmidt, together with Mike Cron, might back himself to light something inside of Tupou.

Tahs will need more than grit to beat the Blues

The Waratahs have lived to fight another day, but that has more to do with the Force’s horror show than anything else.

Two of the Waratahs’ three tries came after intercepts from Triston Reilly, while the Force were their own worst enemies on Saturday.

It really was a death by a thousand cuts for Simon Cron’s men.

Harry Potter could have put Bayley Kuenzle under the sticks midway through the second half had he simply passed, but backed himself and paid the ultimate price.

Nor did they apply the golden rule of scoreboard pressure. It made Donaldson’s wayward touch finder even harder to watch.

The Waratahs won’t be given the same free pass against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon.

While their defence stood up against the Force, they’ll need much more.

The NSW Waratahs celebrate their win against the Force. (Photo by Travis Hayto/Getty Images)

Their set-piece had to be a lot better, with Dave Porecki being picked off by the best defensive lineout in the competition.

But their biggest improvement, of course, is their attack.

That’s not surprising because Dan McKellar would have focused on improving their defence, addressing their discipline and working on their fitness over the past nine months: three aspects which centre around culture.

They’ll need to fire some more shots against the Blues though, because their one-dimensional attack and one-off runners, especially in the midfield, won’t be enough.

Reds midfielder with a big future

There’s been several players who have announced themselves on the Super Rugby stage this year, but has any been bigger than Dre Pakeho?

With no great fanfare, the versatile midfielder has been exceptional in his debut season with the Reds.

The 20-year-old announced himself with a strong hit out against Wales last July and he’s only kicked on further in 2025.

His subtle ball to put Jock Campbell through a hole against the Hurricanes was a touch of class.