Noah Lolesio set to debut in Japan after lengthy lay-off

Wallabies star Noah Lolesio will make his debut for new side Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi on Saturday after returning to full fitness following a serious neck injury.

Lolesio, 26, was overlooked for the 2023 World Cup by Eddie Jones but established himself as the Wallabies’ first-choice fly-half under Joe Schmidt before suffering a neck injury in a Test match against Fiji in July which required surgery.

The fit-again former Brumbies fly-half has participated in full training with his division two side since 1 January and will play his first club game since the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific semi-final loss against the Chiefs.

Auckland-born Lolesio, who missed the British and Irish Lions series as well as the Rugby Championship and end-of-year tour last year, faces winless basement outfit Hino Red Dolphins in his Japan Rugby League One bow.

The Shuttles, whose coaching line-up includes Samoa head coach Tusi Pisi as an assistant, sit fourth in the second tier after four rounds with two wins and two defeats.

Springboks star Manie Libbok and Peter Umaga-Jensen's Hanazono Kintetsu Liners and ex-Ireland international Billy Burns’s big-spending Koto Blue Sharks are the early pacesetters with both teams boasting a perfect record.

Lolesio will line-up alongside former Exeter lock Jack Dunne, ex-Highlanders centre Thomas Umaga-Jensen, two-cap Cook Islands rugby league international wing Chance Peni and Japan sevens full-back Josua Kerevi, the older brother of Wallabies star Samu Kerevi.

His opposite number for Hino will be countryman and ex-Suntory Sungoliath man Tony Alofipo.

Samoa legend Christian Lealiifano, who returned to the club after a brief spell with the Japanese side during the 2018-2019 season, missed out on a place in the matchday 23.

The talent-laden club also has highly-rated Kiwi youngster Ajay Faleafaga on their books. Former Highlanders prospect Faleafaga is yet to play for the Shuttles.

RugbyJP.com will be on-site covering Saturday's game in Tokyo