He may have been edged out by Noah Lolesio in the race to wear the number 10 jersey against the Lions in July, but Tom Lynagh won’t be stopped by looking too far ahead.
Instead, the 21-year-old recognizes that if he can lift the Queensland Reds to greater heights, he will be putting himself firmly in line to face the Lions in the July series opener in Brisbane.
“Any player who plays for Australia has done that (I circled the Lions campaign), but I want to get the Super Rugby season first. That’s my priority this year. Let’s get that done first and then hopefully the rest will follow,” Lynagh told reporters on Tuesday.
Lynagh may have had a slower than usual festive season as he enjoyed some downtime thanks to having a tonsillectomy ahead of Christmas, but he will have been thrilled with the off-season work undertaken by Reds chief Sam Cordingley.
Tom Lynagh gets up on deck against Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Where the Reds have had a hard-working tight five and a mobile, skilful back-row over the past two years, the diminutive playmaker now has a forward pack capable of going toe-to-toe with the competition’s best after joining. Artwork by Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Josh Canham of the Rebels.
This means that cheap traders like Samipeni Finau might think twice before targeting Lynagh. But the 21-year-old isn’t complaining.
“I’ve been targeted quite a few times, and that’s what happens when you turn ten,” Lynagh said. “You can’t expect something like that and be ashamed of it. It’s part of the game. You have to step up and do your job. “I will try to do the same this year.”
Lynagh was one of a handful of Reds players to return for a quick two-day batting match this week before leaving for Sydney on Wednesday for a three-day camp at Olympic Park that begins with administrative duties.
Lynagh said his early return to Ballymore was about “getting his legs ticking” after being bedridden for surgery in his later years.
However, there were no complaints about returning to training early.
“We are all excited,” Lynagh said. “I came in yesterday very excited. Just knowing what we accomplished last year and how great the atmosphere was around it was probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever been back with. It’s a good environment to come back to.
“There were several key messages and themes to address throughout the year. We started the day with a meeting, split into units, had other meetings and gym sessions, and then finished with an on-site session. As always, energy is high. So we like it here now.”
Tom Lynagh has said he wants to work on getting the ball flat on the line and improving his goal-kicking ability in 2025. Photo: Queensland Reds
Everyone, including the players, is eagerly awaiting news about Joe Schmidt’s future after the Lions, but it looks like there won’t be any announcements this week.
Asked by Schmidt’s former Ireland club Les Kiss right-hand man whether the New Zealander would be prepared to move on if he refuses to renew his World Cup contract, Lynagh said: “That’s above my pay grade, mate.”
“I’m not sure what’s going on.”
The bigger pressure on Lynagh is captaincy to return to the national team.
After making her debut in the First Test last year, Lynagh suffered a minor injury and was ultimately not selected for the Grand Slam tour, with Waratahs playmaker Tane Edmed joining the tour party.
Lynagh said playing for the Wallabies in 2024 had been a “dream year”, but admitted he was disappointed to miss out on this year’s final squad despite visiting England with the Australian A team.
“I mean, that’s what I wanted to do last year, be on the spring tour, travel around the UK and play different venues,” he said.
“But I ended up going on the Manchester United tour and then I joined Australia and had a good time in three games. So I’m really excited to finally do that and put everything I learned at the Wallabies camp into real games and plays.”
While Lynagh was cagey about the specific feedback Schmidt gave him, the blonde-haired, baby-faced playmaker admitted he needs to fine-tune his kicking game after failing to reach his high standards.
“Kicking has been a big part of my game and they still want me to work on and develop all areas of my kick,” said Lynagh, who remained in Europe after the Australia A tour to spend time with his international wing brother Louis. said: Michael’s father.
“Whether it’s an offensive kick or just clearing a kick, especially a goal kick. That was one of my shortcomings in the Super Rugby season where I felt I wasn’t as good at goal kicking as I wanted to be.
“(Also) playing on the line and making the right decisions is a big effort and something I’ve been working on and I’ve become a lot more confident and comfortable doing that. So that’s what they asked me to do.”
Tom Lynagh takes the ball against England A at The Stoop in London on November 17, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
After this week’s brief Wallabies camp, Lynagh is expected to feature prominently in the Reds’ two pre-season games as Queensland head to England to face Bristol Bears (February 1) and Ulster (February 8) It works.
Lynagh will compete with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips for the No.10 jersey, while Kiss have added more youth to their playmaking stock with Mason Gordon arriving at Ballymore and goalkicking ace Jude Gibbs.
The two-week tour will be a departure from tradition ahead of the Super Rugby season, but Kiss is looking forward to the opportunity to take on his former Ireland players against the English Premier League leaders, who provide one of the toughest defensive challenges in club rugby. The team will prepare the Reds for a much-anticipated season.
“We are all very excited,” Lynagh said. “Some of the boys had never been there and didn’t play often.
“It’s a great time of year to go there. The weather will be nice too. It’s nice, cold, and windy.
“Bristol and Ulster are both tough games. They’re both great teams. Bristol are in the best position in the Premier League and Bristol is a great place to play. Great stadium, great field. The boys will have a lot to learn and learn as the conditions are different to what we normally play here, but it will be great to get back there.
“They play very fast rugby and are very aggressive. I’ve been watching them for quite some time, and they’ve always been like that. They don’t (often) kick their 22. It’s a very brave thing to do, but do it well and you’ll be rewarded for it. So we can get something from that too. You just have to mix it up a bit and keep the team guessing.”
