Aussies Abroad: Lolesio continues Japanese comeback as ex-Wallabies taste success in European

Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 11:15 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

The Top 14 is back in action despite the Six Nations well underway, giving some overseas Australians a chance to shine.

On top of this, there are plenty of Wallabies hopefuls shining in Japan as the top division hits the halfway mark.

Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Rugby.com.au highlights the best from the weekend in 'Aussies Abroad.'

Japan

It was a pair of Wallabies star flyhalves that lit up the Japanese competitions as Noah Lolesio and Bernard Foley dominated for their respective teams.

Lolesio continues his return from a neck injury in the second division, proving to be a class above for Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi with three line break assists and 16 points in a 66-12 win over Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks.

Likewise for Foley, he had a trio of line break assists and offloads as he went a perfect 6/6 from the boot in a 42-19 win for Kubota Spears over Sizuoka BlueRevs.

In further top division action, Wallabies great Israel Folau's hat-trick was in vain as Urayasu D-Rocks went down 41-19 to Tokyo Sungoliath, who had Sean McMahon coming off the bench.

It was a better day for Marika Koroibete, recording a line break in Saitama Wild Knights' tight 26-20 win over Toyota Verblitz.

Isaac Lucas crossed for BlackRams Tokyo, with Liam Gill also starting in a high-scoring 53-31 win over Yokohama Canon Eagles.

Europe

The Australians had a successful return to Top 14 action, with several capped Wallabies coming up big.

Tom Banks and Jordan Uelese both started for Montpellier in a crucial 43-33 win over La Rochelle, with Will Skelton still on the sidelines.

Adam Coleman put in a solid defensive spell for Bordeaux in their 57-32 victory against Castres.

It was a similar story for fellow lock Rob Simmons, who joined Irae Simone in the starting line-up for a 34-14 win over Toulon.

Taniela Tupou lasted just four minutes for Racing 92, appearing to come from the field with a head knock in their 41-36 victory against Bayonne.

But the standout in Europe was Northampton fullback James Ramm, continuing his fine form for the Saints.

Ramm had eight tackle busts and two try assists in a 40-24 win over Harlequins in the English Premiership Cup, boosting their chance to qualifying for the semi-finals with three rounds to go.

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