Why the name Lynagh may again haunt British and Irish rugby fans

[ad_1] With Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt holding his playing cards near his chest (no less than publicly), it stays anybody's guess as to who will begin at fly half for the primary Take a look at towards the British and Irish Lions in July.

The Western Drive's Ben Donaldson has been the clubhouse chief, particularly with Noah Lolesio exhibiting inconsistent kind for the ACT Brumbies within the Tremendous Rugby Pacific competitors.

Donaldson's fundamental challenger could show to be Tom Lynagh, who produced a player-of-the-match efficiency within the Queensland Reds' 35—21 victory over the Blues in Brisbane on Friday evening.

Lynagh — who made three Take a look at appearances as a reserve for the Wallabies in 2024 — illustrated his capacity to take the ball to the line of defense in assault when he scored the opening strive of the match within the fourth minute.

His tactical kicking ignited the play that led to his second strive solely minutes later, sending the ball to the sky with a superbly weighted bomb that resulted within the Blues messing up their kick reception.

The Reds pounced on the turnover from the defending champions, with Lynagh scoring within the ensuing part play.

Lynagh was awarded the Sellars Dixon Medal after being named participant of the match. ( Getty Pictures: Chris Hyde )

Like Donaldson, the Italy-born Lynagh poses a menace within the second line of assault, as he displayed towards the Blues, whereas he is additionally a reliable tackler who would not shirk from his defensive obligations.

Lynagh remains to be studying the craft on the skilled degree, so it isn't shocking a level of informality can creep into his sport.

He threw a lazy cross to Zane Nonggorr quickly after half-time that handed possession over to the Blues, who have been initially awarded a strive within the following phase-play, just for it to be disallowed due to an earlier knock-on.

There are nonetheless 5 rounds left within the common season and doubtlessly a finals collection for the fourth-placed Reds, giving Lynagh the chance to iron out chinks in his armour.

It could be a proud household second ought to Lynagh earn choice to face the Lions, given his father Michael performed within the 1989 collection.

Whereas the Lions took the honours on that event, British and Irish rugby followers with lengthy reminiscences can be aware of the distress Michael Lynagh inflicted on their respective nations throughout his adorned profession.

He was an integral member of the Wallabies' Grand Slam-winning facet in 1984 and helped orchestrate the last-gasp quarterfinal victory over Eire within the profitable 1991 World Cup marketing campaign, which was iced by the 12—6 defeat of England within the event decider.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">McDermott retains on retaining on Maybe enhancing Lynagh's choice hopes is the efficient halves mixture he has developed alongside Reds co-captain Tate McDermott.

Final week's column argued McDermott is the frontrunner to play scrum half for the Wallabies towards the Lions and he solely boosted his possibilities with one other sound knock for the Reds within the win over the Blues.

His highlights reel featured an impressive strive within the 51st minute when the Reds have been nervously main 14—7.

From the bottom of a ruck, McDermott formed to cross simply outdoors the Blues' 22, however noticed a spot within the line of defense, by means of which he galloped on his approach to crossing the stripe.

Tate McDermott's strive successfully killed off any hope of a Blues victory. ( Getty Pictures: Chris Hyde )

McDermott's strive, transformed by Lynagh, gave the Reds a 14-point benefit, which the Blues couldn't overcome.

He additionally impressed in defence, having teamed up with Lynagh to carry out Kurt Eklund over the road throughout a sustained interval of assault from the Blues.

McDermott solely began in a single Take a look at in 2024, however got here off the bench in one other 11 internationals, changing Jake Gordon on most of these events.

His strong kind this 12 months — and the very fact Gordon has missed a big chunk of the NSW Waratahs' season by means of damage — factors to him having the within operating for the Wallabies' quantity 9 jersey.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">Brumbies come up brief Regardless of scoring the primary strive, the Brumbies all the time appeared to be a step behind the Hurricanes of their 35—29 loss to the guests at Canberra Stadium on Saturday evening.

<h3 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile18__eJCIB Typography_sizeDesktop20___6qCS Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop24__Fh_y5 Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">Tremendous Rugby Pacific outcomes: Chiefs def Drive 56—22 in TaurangaReds def Blues 35—21 in BrisbaneMoana Pasifika def Fijian Drua 34—15 in AlbanyCrusaders def Highlanders 43—10 in DunedinHurricanes def Brumbies 35—29 in Canberra The Hurricanes scored 5 tries to 4 and loved extra time with ball in hand, having restricted the Brumbies to 42 per cent of possession.

As Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa stated after the match, his facet made good use of the ball they'd, nevertheless it was a case of them needing "extra of it".

They did not assist themselves defensively, lacking 46 of their 232 sort out makes an attempt, whereas coach Stephen Larkham admitted his troops was overwhelmed by the Hurricanes within the breakdown battle.

The Brumbies additionally conceded 10 penalties to 5, together with seven inside their half.

However the line-out was on tune, with every of their throws discovering its goal.

It was an up and down evening for the Brumbies, who keep third on the standings however path the Chiefs and Crusaders by eight factors.

Their fortunes have been mirrored in Tom Wright's efficiency, with the Wallabies fullback balancing brilliant patches with lacklustre moments.

The Hurricanes compelled the Brumbies to play catch-up for a lot of the match. ( Getty photos: Mark Nolan )

Wright's environment friendly work over the ball earned a breakdown penalty through the first half and he threw a well-timed lofted cross to Andy Muirhead for the Brumbies flyer's late strive.

However missed tackles, giving up a penalty and a spilt excessive ball have been examples of when Wright put the Brumbies underneath stress.

As beautifully as Wright performed for the Wallabies final 12 months, his maintain on the fullback position could also be underneath menace from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Suaalii has began at fullback in all however one in every of his 5 appearances for the Waratahs this season, impressing within the place since coming back from a toe damage.

He'll determine within the Wallabies' backline towards the Lions, nonetheless it is only a matter of whether or not will probably be at fullback or within the centres.

Wright and Suaalii will face one another when the Brumbies play the Waratahs in Canberra on Saturday evening.

The showdown will little question be seen by many as a kind information as to who will play 15 towards the Lions.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">Waratahs to determine on Tupou The Wright vs Suaalii plot-line might be amongst a number of attractive match-ups within the capital on the weekend.

Set to create curiosity is the potential assembly between Australia's two most proficient tight-head props — Alaalatoa and the Waratahs' Taniela Tupou.

However this may largely rely on Tupou beginning towards the Brumbies.

He performed off the bench towards Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs in rounds eight and 9, earlier than being rested towards Fijian Drua as a result of nationwide rotation coverage.

Taniela Tupou has not began for the Waratahs since their round-seven match towards the Hurricanes. ( Getty Pictures: Hagen Hopkins )

Daniel Botha has began at tight-head within the Waratahs' previous three matches.

Tupou's demotion to the reserves got here after the Waratahs have been hammered 57—12 by the Hurricanes in spherical seven, with coach Dan McKellar saying he wished to get "extra out" of the Wallabies bookend.

The ex-Melbourne Insurgent has given up a whole lot of floor to Alaalatoa, who has been the best-performed Australian tight-head this season.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">Drive hit with management void The Western Drive have been already going through an uphill battle after they took the sector towards the Chiefs at Tauranga's Bay Oval of Friday evening, lacking Wallabies duo Jeremy Williams and Nic White.

Their management and expertise have been sorely missed within the 56—22 thumping handed out by the competition-leading Chiefs, who have been with out injured All Black Damian McKenzie.

Regardless of being in entrance on the scoreboard twice within the first half, not a lot went proper for the Drive.

Poor defensive reads have been pricey, as confirmed by Chiefs scrum half Cortez Ratima's back-to-back tries within the second time period.

Harry Potter scored a double within the Drive's heavy loss to the Chiefs. ( Getty Pictures: Michael Bradley )

Lacking skipper Williams, the Drive's line-out was typically dysfunctional, though a Darcy Swain steal did spark Bayley Kuenzle's strive within the fifth minute of play.

From a Wallabies perspective, there was scarcely a Drive participant who pushed their choice claims for the Lions collection, though winger Harry Potter's second strive confirmed a contact of brilliance.

The Drive slipped to sixth on the standings, staying on 22 factors, with the Waratahs (21 factors) now seventh.

After licking their wounds following the defeat to the Chiefs, the Drive will conclude a testing highway journey in New Zealand after they conflict with the Blues at Eden Park on Friday evening.