Queensland co-captain Tate McDermott on the rapid rise of flyhalf Tom Lynagh
Tom Lynagh has big shoes to fill as the son of a Queensland rugby legend. He is taking everything in his stride as Reds flyhalf in the tightest Super Rugby Pacific competition in recent memory.
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The Queensland Reds’ biggest crowd since they won the 2021 Super Rugby AU title was on deck to witness a new Lynagh light up Lang Park last Saturday.
A passionate 20,772 fans were treated to the 35-15 thwarting of the previously unbeaten Waratahs where 21-year-old flyhalf Tom, the son of the great Michael Lynagh, showed the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
In the process of retaining the Bob Templeton Cup, rising playmaker Lynagh nailed all five of his conversion attempts, absorbed a handful of big hits and demonstrated the composure and class required of a future Wallaby mainstay.
Lynagh has big shoes to fill being the son of one of Queensland’s most decorated rugby players in 100-cap Reds playmaker and 72-Test Wallaby Michael but he is taking everything in his stride as Queensland’s first-choice No.10 in the tightest Super Rugby Pacific competition in recent memory.
“It’s obviously tough for him to live up to his dad,” Reds co-captain Tate McDermott said.
“That’s the battle he faces every day. People want to talk to him just because of who his old man was.
“He is forging himself a new name and it’s not going to happen overnight but he’s grinding away and taking the team to places.”
Lynagh was a late scratching in the Reds’ 43-19 loss to the Crusaders in round four. In his return against interstate rivals the Waratahs, his impact was evidenced in the bonus point victory.
From one of the most influential positions on the field Lynagh has played a steady hand in getting Queensland to third on the ladder, behind the Chiefs and Crusaders — a progression 29-Test Wallaby McDermott is delighted with.
“In terms of his progression he has gone from being an iPad kid to a general of this team,” McDermott said.
“We needed him to take that place.”
In round eight last season the Reds lost McDermott and reigning Super Rugby player of the year Fraser McReight to three-week suspensions in a whirlwind 17-14 loss against Moana Pasifika.
In the three games that followed Lynagh was key. Queensland belted the Highlanders 31-0, lost 41-34 in the 82nd minute to the Blues and then broke a 25-year drought in Christchurch beating the Crusaders. What could have been the breaking of him proved the making of him.
“I was really proud of him last year when I got my suspension and I was out for three weeks, just how he took control of the side,” McDermott praised.
That stretch of footy from the then 20-year-old no doubt played a part in him earning three Wallaby Tests late in the year.
“That exposure in Joe Schmidt’s environment was huge for him just to realise he has got so much in front of him.
“He’s just scraping the barrel. I love seeing how far he is growing.”
An obvious growth in Lynagh’s game is his toughness as he is often an easy target at flyhalf for rushing defences.
“We went out the back a few times, he got a couple of hits on him but he didn’t lose his composure,” Reds coach Les Kiss said after Saturday’s stunner at Suncorp.
“I think that was a really important game for him and growing that side of his game. His composure under pressure.
“He didn’t lose it. He just stayed on track. Found his little markers in his head, and the things that he works on mentally. And I think that came to the fore.
“I thought he was superb.”
Lynagh first arrived at Ballymore as an 18-year year old from Surrey in England but a key factor in his progress over the past 24 months has been the presence and healthy pressure of another young playmaker, 20-year-old Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
“His battle with Harry has been really important for both their progression,” McDermott said.
“It has been great to see, from a No.9 point of view, the No.10s evolving in that space.”
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