Young Lynagh given his chance at flyhalf for Reds
Tom Lynagh has vowed to take “more control” in games after winning the three-way battle to start at flyhalf for Queensland against NSW on Saturday night.
With experienced playmaker James O’Connor sidelined with a hamstring injury, Lynagh was in competition with Junior Wallaby Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Lawson Creighton to wear the Reds’ No.10 jersey in the opening round Super Rugby Pacific clash at Suncorp Stadium. And having fully overcome a pre-season back problem, 20-year-old Lynagh got the nod from new Reds coach Les Kiss.
McLaughlin-Phillips has been named on the bench, with Creighton not selected in the 23-man match-day squad.
“I’ve got good options at No.10 and this week it is Tom Lynagh’s opportunity,” Kiss said. “He’s familiar with what it takes at Super Rugby level after his debut season in 2023 and he’ll bring that experience to the game.”
Lynagh has relished the battle for the flyhalf spot.
“It’s good we have that competition,” the son of Reds and Wallabies great Michael Lynagh said.
“It drives us all to be better and, even with James injured, he has been passing on his knowledge.
“I do feel I learnt a lot from last season in our good moments as a team and also in the tough losses. Taking a bit more control on the field is one area of development. I’ve enjoyed connecting will all the new coaches for a fresh season.”
Elsewhere in the backline, Wallabies excitement-machine Jordan Petaia – who could have been selected at outside centre or on the wing – will start at fullback, with Jock Campbell having to be content with a bench spot. In the forwards, former All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman will make his Reds debut after previous Super Rugby stints with the Crusaders and the Blues.
“Having a prop of Alex’s vast experience is fantastic. He’s played a lot of Super Rugby,” Kiss said.
The Reds coach also said he expected NSW to be a “difficult opponent”.
“It’s tough, it’s exciting, it’s rivalry at its best – it’s an occasion I live for,” said Kiss, a former Waratahs assistant coach who represented Queensland in rugby league’s State of Origin.