‘You’ve got to toughen up’: Lynagh battered but not beaten

On the morning of his starting debut for the Wallabies in Brisbane, Tom Lynagh caught up with his London-based father for the first time in six months. As he has done since Tom was a boy, Michael Lynagh passed on the hard-earned advice of a man who played 72 Tests and captained Australia.

“Just to keep it simple, don’t overplay your hand,” Tom Lynagh recounted later. “All that stuff. The message hasn’t changed since I was 13.”

Dad could have thrown in “brace yourself” as well, but that, too, is now old ground for Tom Lynagh.

The Lions went hard and went often at the 22-year-old and the young playmaker stood his ground. On a bruising night for the Wallabies, one of the brighter spots was the assured performance of Lynagh, who proved the apple doesn’t fall from the tree when it comes to composure in the Test arena.

In only his fourth Test - and having been a shock call-up to replace Noah Lolesio - Lynagh defied his inexperience and showed why Joe Schmidt has been trying to give him a Test start for a year.

It was a tough opening night. Lynagh’s kicking was solid, but behind a beaten pack and playing with slow ball and a new halfback at Suncorp, the rookie didn’t have much opportunity in attack.

Tom Lynagh runs the ball back from a kick at Suncorp Stadium.Credit: Getty Images

But as an 81kg blond bullseye for giant Lions ball carriers, and under high ball pressure that strayed into foul play, Lynagh was staunch, as he’d shown all year for the Reds.

“It was a tremendous show of courage from him,” Wallabies halfback and Reds teammate Tate McDermott said.

“Obviously the boys have seen just the warrior Tommy is. He’s a small guy but he puts his body on the line. What we know is Tommy’s got a great kicking game. But tonight he showed fight and he showed courage which is really important for him in general.”

Post-game, Lynagh claimed he was “still shaking with adrenaline” from the experience but he clearly processes the hormone well, given his relaxed demeanour and a revelation he felt no nerves before the game.

Again, seemingly like his father, Tom Lynagh said he was not someone who gets overawed before a match, even if it is a starting Test debut at no.10 against the Lions at a sold-out Suncorp. And with the name Lynagh, and a nation, on his back.

Tom Curry was lucky to not be yellow carded after illegally tackling Tom Lynagh in the air.Credit: Getty Images

“I’ve always sort of been like that. I just try to be as relaxed as possible and keep a calm head,” Lynagh said.

“No point to prove, just go out there and play my game. It was incredible experience. It’s my first time playing at Suncorp when it’s packed out.

“It’s always something I wanted to do and follow in Dad’s footsteps. So, I’m living the dream now. It’s a proud moment for myself and my family.”

The Lynaghs became the first father and son in history to both play Tests against the Lions.

Asked about being physically targeted, Lynagh said: “It’s part of the job, mate. You’ve got to toughen up for games like this. You can’t shy away from anything.

“My position, my build, it’s an easy target and I know that. I’ve got to have my game where it’s at that level. It’s just my job.”

Lynagh debuted last year but struggled with back and hamstring injuries, and wasn’t selected for the spring tour. He went on Queensland’s tour of Japan instead, and also joined Australia A in England.

Tom Lynagh attempts a tackle on Lions hooker Dan Sheehan.Credit: Getty Images

“I don’t think my body was ready last year. I struggled getting on the field a lot of the time. But to be in and around that environment and actually have a few caps in my name … I really thrived from that,” he said.

“I didn’t make [the] spring tour, but went away with the Reds in Japan. I felt like a different person over there and took that to Super Rugby this year.”

Lynagh, who grew up in England but moved to Queensland after school, said he always felt Australian but admitted his path being blocked at Harlequins by Lions rival Marcus Smith was a factor.

The Wallabies now move to Melbourne, where they must win or the series is lost. There is a lot of improvement required, said McDermott.

“We came here with a goal and we didn’t achieve it. But we’ve got to get on the horse quick. We’ve only got six days to prepare for what’s coming. It’s going to be one of the biggest games of our lives,” he said.

Unsuprisingly, the sanguine Lynagh is not panicking: “We’ll work away during the week. We’ve still got another two game. The series is still in the balance. It’s not over yet.”

All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.