Rugby-Joe's woes mount as Lolesio blow shortens runway to fix Wallabies

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Ireland v Australia - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - November 30, 2024 Australia's Noah Lolesio in action REUTERS/Lorraine O'sullivan/File Photo

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Joe Schmidt's preparations for the British & Irish Lions tour appear on shaky ground with the loss of first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio deepening the sense of pessimism surrounding the Wallabies following their lacklustre showing against Fiji.

Schmidt was tasked with making the Wallabies competitive in time for the three-match series against the Lions but they were clunky in a 21-18 win over the Fijians, with only a late try saving them from a confidence-killing defeat.