Flyhalf Tom Lynagh recalled to Queensland’s starting team for Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final

One player’s finals experience came in handy when Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss decided who should wear the No.10 jersey for a do-or-die clash.

Tom Lynagh has been recalled to Queensland’s starting team. Picture: David Gray / AFP

Tom Lynagh has won the battle for the flyhalf spot in Queensland’s side for Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final against the Chiefs.

Lynagh, 21, came off the bench in the Reds’ 27-26 win over the Waratahs last week when Lawson Creighton was the preferred option in the No.10 jersey.

However, the son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh has been recalled to Queensland’s starting team, with Creighton having to be content with a spot among the reserves for the do-or-die encounter in Hamilton.

“Tom’s finals experience last year pays forward for us,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.

“With Lawson from the bench, it’s a combo that has worked well for us this season.

“I’m very confident in the job they’ll do.”

There is again no room for another of the Reds’ flyhalf options, former Wallaby James O’Connor, in Queensland’s 23-man squad.

Also unable to force his way back into Queensland’s match-day squad after being sent off last month against Fijian Drua is former NRL-premiership-winning winger Suliasi Vunivalu.

Tom Lynagh will start at flyhalf for Queensland in Friday night’s Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final against the Chiefs. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Lynagh’s inclusion at Creighton’s expense is one of four changes to the side that started in the one-point win over NSW at Allianz Stadium

The other three alterations are in the forwards where prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, lock Ryan Smith and No.8 John Bryant respectively replace Zane Nonggor, Connor Vest and Joe Brial, who all drop to the bench.

“I’m very comfortable if something does happen, we’ve got people who can step up,” Kiss said.

“We have the players to turn up for those special moments that come in games like this.

“Finals footy … it’s exciting and a different beast. You’ve got to love it.”

The Reds can create history on Friday by becoming the first Australian team to win a Super Rugby finals match on New Zealand soil.

“Winning in Hamilton will be a difficult task. If we commit to playing our style, we’ve got a chance against a good Chiefs side,” said Kiss, who added the Reds could take confidence from their 33-28 regular season win over the Crusaders in Christchurch last month.
“We have had some positive results against New Zealand teams this season. Of the three wins, one was crucially in Christchurch.

“That experience and what we’ve learnt in close matches will stand us in good stead, but it doesn’t guarantee you anything.

“We’ve got to be able to handle the purple patch they’ll have in the game and that’s going to take a massive collective effort.

“We want to be able to live up to what we’ve tried to build this year and keep growing it.”

Reds: Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell. Bench: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa’agase, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton. Taj Annan.

Originally published as Flyhalf Tom Lynagh recalled to Queensland’s starting team for Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final