Sawt Falasteen - Wallabies' Lolesio faces long rehab after surgery

The playmaker suffered the injury during Australia's 21-18 defeat of Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday and had to be stretchered from the field.

Rugby Australia said he was initially discharged from hospital on Sunday evening, but was readmitted for an operation following a further medical follow-up.

The Sydney Morning Herald said he had a spinal fusion procedure.

Lolesio is expected to make a full recovery and will spend "a period of time away from the game during his rehabilitation".

That almost certainly rules him out of the three-Test series against the Lions starting in July 19, although officials gave no indication on how long he would be sidelined.

"Firstly, we were relieved that Noah was up and moving well when he returned to the team hotel after his initial hospital visit in Newcastle on Sunday," said Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.

"Further to that, it's an added relief for everyone, especially his family, that successful surgery now has him on the road to recovery."

With Lolesio sidelined, Australia could turn to veteran James O'Connor to file the hole, although they have other options in Ben Donaldson, Tom Lynagh and possibly Tane Edmed.

K.AbuDahab--SF-PST