Australia’s preparations for the British & Irish Lions series have been disrupted by fly-half Noah Lolesio’s neck surgery, forcing coach Joe Schmidt to reassess his play-making options for the opening Test in Brisbane on 19 July. Former Wallaby Matt Giteau urged selectors to inject experience by recalling James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale or Bernard Foley, while Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh remain the leading internal candidates. The Wallabies will announce their squad on Friday. While Australia debates its No.10, Lions coach Andy Farrell has named a near full-strength side for tonight’s tour match against the ACT Brumbies at Canberra’s GIO Stadium. Captain Maro Itoje leads a line-up featuring Finn Russell at fly-half, Blair Kinghorn at full-back and a predominantly Irish forward pack, underscoring the fixture’s importance as a final audition before the Test series. The Brumbies, missing eight Wallabies, will look to repeat their 2013 upset of the tourists.