Being a Wallabies flies half of the hope with his family name has seen a lot of pressure already put on his slender shoulders, but for Tom Lynagh, the twin charges of hope and expectations are about to be loaded like never before. 36 years since Father Michael seized the first match in the British and Irish Lions series with a demonstration of half the master’s degree, his son will face tourists after winning an unlikely election at n ° 10.
It is difficult to describe this as something other than an exceptionally courageous call by Joe Schmidt, the head coach in Australia, for the opening test in Brisbane. Of course, these circumstances were rather forced by him: the desperately disappearing disappointing injury of Noah Lolesio against the Fiji excluded him from the series, while Carter Gordon, made king by a previous regime before the 2023 World Cup, exchanged codes in the NRL. But the safer game of the Wallabies boss would certainly have been to turn to Ben Donaldson after a strong campaign of Pacific Super Rugby, or to James O’Connor after his surprise reminder – the veteran has an experience of being a surprise choice in half of Fly in a Lions series in 2013.
Tom Lynagh follows the traces of his father, Michael Lynagh (Getty Images)
Tom Lynagh follows the traces of his father, Michael Lynagh (Getty Images)
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But Schmidt may have recognized that it’s time to play. And he played. Lynagh is only 22 years old; He wore Wallaby Green and gold internationally for exactly an hour and did not even trace on the European tour in November. He has not known at all since June 6, a meeting with the crusaders who ended prematurely after a concussion.
However, in a series that could be crucial for the future of Australian rugby, Schmidt has bet on pedigree and potential. The head coach is a renowned intrigue, but it would be just to say that he looked like a mathematician looking for an equation that he has not fully grasped during the two weeks since Lolesio’s injury. O’Conner – which should probably have been in the initial team for the game of Fiji – was blurred in the short term and informed of his selection after a fortuitous meeting with a group of Escouches comrades in Brisbane, while the failure to give Lynagh a race in one of the matches of the pre -test series seems a misstep of the retrospective.
The boss of Wallabies, Joe Schmidt, made a daring selection call (AP)
The boss of Wallabies, Joe Schmidt, made a daring selection call (AP)
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But there are a lot in the composition of the young playmaker to suggest that he could simply take up the challenge before him. The offspring of many great sportsmen had a paved gold path for them – consciously or unconsciously – by their parent, but Lynagh fought to forge his own trip.
Like his brother Louis, the Italian wing, Tom was born near Treviso, where their father had spent five years as a player and met their mother, Isabella. The family quickly moved to England, where the two of the three sons took the game in the Mini section of Richmond RFC, with Tom going to Epsom College and the Harlequins Academy.
Where most of them would have just stayed on a traveler at the top in southwest London, a Tom, then 17, had other ideas, declaring an ambition to move with his grandparents in Queensland to pursue an Australian dream in the depths of the pandemic. In a different world, he might have stayed in Quins and jostle for the position behind Marcus Smith; Now, with half of the English fly which should be appointed to the Lions bench, the pair could enter into direct opposition.
Tom Lynagh had a huge opportunity (Getty Images)
Tom Lynagh had a huge opportunity (Getty Images)
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In a way, London’s distance may have helped to temper certain expectations that could have been placed on Lynagh in an English game which can build half a half as quickly as it can dress them. Despite the famous name, the Australian public will not necessarily have closely monitored his progress – so far.
“I’m really excited for Tom,” said Schmidt. “He has a silent confidence about him, which gives us quiet confidence. It is very well suited this week. He gave us the confidence and the players the confidence he will very well perform the game for us. His kick game is strong, he has a good acceleration and he is really courageous.
“It’s Suncorp [Stadium]It’s his home track, it’s a fantastic opportunity for him. We made him align twice for his first departure last year and he picked up Little Niggles. It’s probably not ideal to start your first Wallabies test against the British and Irish lions, but you have to start somewhere. Isn’t that now?
As Schmidt mentioned, Lynagh familiarity with Suncorp Stadium, if not massively, with the players around him. It is a slight surprise to see Scrum Half Jake Gordon preferred to the compatriot of Lynagh Red Tate McDermott after an injury season; Connect quickly with Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aaukuso Suaalii will be essential.
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In advance, Rob Valetini and Will Skelton are absent from important injuries with Nick’s beginner, the Crespigny champion, completing the rear row alongside Fraser McREight and Harry Wilson. A quick start is surely a must for the Wallabies while the curtain appears in Brisbane – and after a surprise cast in the main role, the spotlights will set up on a man.
Wallabies XV Faches the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane (Saturday July 19, 11 a.m. BST): 1 James Slipper, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Nick Frost, 5 Jeremy Williams; 6 Crespigny Nick Champion, 7 Fraser McREight, 8 Harry Wilson (Capt.); 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Tom Lynagh; 11 Harry Potter, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii, 14 Max Jorgensen; 15 Tom Wright.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Carlo Tizzano; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
