Australia fly-half Noah Lolesio underwent neck surgery on 8 July after sustaining a whiplash injury during the Wallabies’ 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle two days earlier. Rugby Australia said the operation was successful and the 25-year-old is expected to make a full recovery, but he will “spend a period of time away from the game” while rehabilitating. The timing rules Lolesio out of the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions that opens in Brisbane on 19 July, depriving head coach Joe Schmidt of his first-choice No. 10. Schmidt indicated he will review his options, with Ben Donaldson, Tom Lynagh and Tane Edmed the most experienced fit fly-halves currently in camp; a call-up for overseas-based veterans such as Bernard Foley or Quade Cooper has also been mooted.