First-choice Australia fly-half Noah Lolesio will miss the entire British and Irish Lions Test series due to injury.
The Brumbies star started for the Wallabies in Sunday’s lone warm-up fixture against Fiji in Newcastle, but left the field on a medical cart wearing a neck brace with 20 minutes to go at McDonald Jones Stadium after being slammed to the ground during a heavy tackle.
Lolesio was taken to hospital, where he underwent examination before being discharged on Sunday evening.
Australia have now confirmed that the 25-year-old was readmitted for surgery on Tuesday after follow-up checks, confirming he is expected to make a full recovery and will “spend a period of time away from the game during his rehabilitation” with full support from the Wallabies and Rugby Australia.
No specific details were revealed as to the nature of the operation or the injury.
“Firstly, we were relieved that Noah was up and moving well when he returned to the team hotel after his initial hospital visit in Newcastle on Sunday,” said Australia head coach Joe Schmidt.
“Further to that, it’s an added relief for everyone, especially his family, that successful surgery now has him on the road to recovery.”
Rugby Australia added: “We would like to thank the match day medical team in Newcastle for their care and concern in dealing with the incident on Sunday.”
Lolesio’s absence for all three Tests against the Lions is a real blow for Australia, who, thanks to Harry Wilson’s last-gasp try, were fortunate to beat Fiji 21-18 in their only warm-up game ahead of the series that starts at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on July 19.
The Western Force’s Ben Donaldson deputised for the remaining quarter at the weekend and will now be considered the favourite to start at fly-half against the Lions as Schmidt prepares to name his updated squad for the series on Friday.
The inexperienced duo of Tom Lynagh and Tane Edmed - who have four senior caps between them - are also options, while Schmidt could yet opt to call up a more experienced No10 such as James O’Connor or Bernard Foley.
Along with Edmed, the uncapped Harry McLaughlin-Phillips of the Queensland Reds is due to face the Lions again this weekend after being named in the AUNZ Invitational XV squad for Saturday’s game in Adelaide - the Lions’ last before the first Test, after a strong side has met the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday. Neither Foley nor O’Connor are involved with the AUNZ Invitational XV.
Hooker Dave Porecki failed a head injury assessment (HIA) after scoring against Fiji, while veteran prop James Slipper was also an injury concern during a game for which the Wallabies were already missing the key injured trio of Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Jake Gordon.
