Noah Lolesio has traded "buffets and hotels" for the pre-season grind, returning to ACT Brumbies headquarters "itching to get better" and lay the foundations for a finals tilt and a Test comeback.
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The Brumbies flyhalf resumed pre-season training this week following his return from the Wallabies' Spring Tour, where he answered an SOS to fly around the world to cover the loss of Quade Cooper.
But on-field opportunities were scarce with James O'Connor wearing the No. 10 jersey, with Lolesio now locked in a battle to prove he is the man to take the Australian team forward.
That journey starts with the Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific, where the gifted playmaker has already begun scheming ways to take his club side to the next level.
"He's a really good learner, Noah. He's got that thirst for knowledge," Brumbies assistant coach Rod Seib said.
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"He loves talking footy, so ever since he has come into the group he's been wanting to find out what we've been doing, what our changes are, where the tweaks are, how we can evolve our game.
"He's one of those blokes who is always itching to get better. Him in this environment always adds another level.
"He's relishing the fact he is here for a couple of weeks before he goes away for the Christmas break so he can really get up to speed, so when we do come back again after Christmas, he is ready to go and understanding what we've been doing and where we're at."
Seib says Lolesio has made a smooth transition to a new-look pre-season program, with Brumbies coaches beginning to expand their game plan in a bid to counter the competition's favourites from across the Tasman.
"For players like Noah, they have a high degree of skill level. It's all well and good having a 10 who can run, kick, pass, but when you've got blokes around who may struggle to do all three then it limits your game plan," Seib said.
"We've been trying to expand our game so regardless of what the opposition throws at us, we can manipulate a game or change our tactics, and not be afraid we've got players who have not got the skillset to execute."
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