Wallabies five-eighth Noah Lolesio has potentially put his hopes of playing in the upcoming British and Irish Lions series and the World Cup in 2027 in jeopardy after deciding to play club rugby in Japan next year with an option to extend another season. Lolesio’s decision to move to Japan will be a major test of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s stance of not picking players who have signed abroad. Waratahs No.8 Langi Gleeson had his invitation to a national camp withdrawn after agreeing to join French club Montpellier for 2026 and 2027. It has not been confirmed what club Lolesio will play for in Japan next season, with division two side Kintetsu Liners having strong potential after former Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper announced he was leaving the side at the end of the season. Schmidt has shown continued faith in Lolesio as the Wallabies’ starting playmaker, with the Brumbies star starting nine out of 14 Tests in 2024.