‘Don’t blame Noah’: Wallabies coach defends out of form kicker

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Noah Lolesio. (Photo by Peter Wallis / Getty Images for Rugby Australia)

Aussie coach Dave Rennie took on young opener Noah Lolesio’s defense after he had a night’s rest with the boot in the Bledisloe Cup opener, which the All Blacks won 33-25 in Auckland on Saturday .

The All Blacks were leading 33-8 before the Wallabies returned home to close the gap to eight points.

Lolesio, however, left 12 more points on the pitch after missing three conversions and two penalties.

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The 21-year-old proved to be a match winner in Australia’s recent series against France but, in only his sixth test, his form abandoned him when Australia desperately wanted to break 35 years without success. at Eden Park.

Lolesio only managed two of seven shots on goal in windy conditions as the All Blacks, who also looked rusty, took a 1-0 lead in the three-game Bledisloe Cup streak.

Rennie said Lolesio was “disappointed” but shouldn’t be measured by a night’s rest.

“He was sensational in the French series. You don’t go from an ace kicker to a novice overnight,” said the coach.

“We have a lot of confidence in this kid. He was excellent against France so he will improve more and more.”

But Rennie, who has veteran Quade Cooper on his squad as well as Matt To’omua who also performed well in jersey 10, would not be determined if he will make any changes for the second test next week.

Captain Michael Hooper said the whole squad had to take responsibility for the loss after the Wallabies could claim to have won the opening and closing 15 minutes but were second in between.

“We just have to put it in place for 80 (minutes). We know the type of rugby we can play and we just want to play it for the duration of the match,” he said.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster, although critical of his team for not keeping up the pressure the entire game, believed the Wallabies still wouldn’t have won even if Lolesio had his radar working.

“You can’t always blame a goalie when you win or lose, but the score after 65 minutes showed the answer would have been ‘no’,” Foster said.

“He’s a good young player and he played well and things probably didn’t go the way they should. But it does happen.”

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