The Wallabies have checked in to Oita ahead of Saturday's clash with Japan but Lolesio has been left behind with the directive to add muscle mass.

Quade Cooper has worn the No. 10 jersey in Australia's run of four consecutive wins and joins James O'Connor as the recognised flyhalves in the touring party, with coach Dave Rennie unlikely to call upon players left behind as injury cover and instead looking to European-based options.

Rennie's decision to leave Lolesio at home has sparked questions about whether the ACT Brumbies young gun still features heavily in his plans for the next World Cup.

But Leali'ifano, who may also contend for an Australian recall when he returns to Super Rugby with Moana Pasifika in 2022, suggests Lolesio can still be the man to lead the Wallabies to France.

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Part of the reason Leali'ifano knocked back a return to the Brumbies in favour of joining one of Super Rugby Pacific's new franchises was so he wouldn't stand in the way of the development of Lolesio, Len Ikitau and Irae Simone.

Now Lolesio will be able to focus on individual development during a pre-season in Canberra and Leali'ifano tips he will be "way better for it".

"I think it will benefit him, just to be back here and really hone in on his craft, and add some more armoury to the arsenal," Leali'ifano said.

"He can just work on some different parts of the game he feels can give him a point of difference in how he plays. He is that kind of kid that will just knuckle down and work hard.

"He's had a long couple of seasons, he's been thrust straight into starting and he has played some big minutes and played in some big games. It's probably been good for him to get some time to refresh, spend some time with family, refocus and refresh.

"He can spend some time in pre-season to get a really good block under his belt and he will come out firing. He is going to be way better for it."

Leali'ifano has been one of Lolesio's key mentors throughout a whirlwind professional career which has already garnered eight Test caps - five of which have come against the dominant All Blacks.

While Lolesio took a backseat as Cooper came to the fore in the Rugby Championship, the youngster impressed against France this year.

Leali'ifano knows as well as any there is a big step up from Super Rugby to Test football, backing Lolesio to rise to the level required as he continues to mature.

"It was difficult. I lasted 40 seconds in my debut, but after that there was a big jump," Leali'ifano said.

"It's just that the opportunities are more limited. You've got to take opportunities when they come, the physicality of it was just relentless for 80 minutes.

"[Lolesio] has probably been a little bit hard done by, I thought he had been playing some good footy. He just needs more time in there. I'm liking what I'm seeing from him.

"He will benefit a lot from being in and around the quality environment. I hope he continues to have the upward trend we're expecting, because he is a super talent.

"Mixed with some of the experience he's got now, playing Test footy and especially playing against the All Blacks, it's going to be able to help him to get used to the rigours of moving from Super into the international stuff."

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