Source : ABC NEWS
With Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt holding his cards close to his chest (at least publicly), it remains anyone’s guess as to who will start at fly half for the first Test against the British and Irish Lions in July.
The Western Force’s Ben Donaldson has been the clubhouse leader, especially with Noah Lolesio showing inconsistent form for the ACT Brumbies in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Donaldson’s main challenger may prove to be Tom Lynagh, who produced a player-of-the-match performance in the Queensland Reds’ 35—21 victory over the Blues in Brisbane on Friday night.
Lynagh — who made three Test appearances as a reserve for the Wallabies in 2024 — illustrated his ability to take the ball to the defensive line in attack when he scored the opening try of the match in the fourth minute.
His tactical kicking ignited the play that led to his second try only minutes later, sending the ball to the sky with a perfectly weighted bomb that resulted in the Blues messing up their kick reception.
The Reds pounced on the turnover from the defending champions, with Lynagh scoring in the ensuing phase play.
Lynagh was awarded the Sellars Dixon Medal after being named player of the match. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
Like Donaldson, the Italy-born Lynagh poses a threat in the second line of attack, as he displayed against the Blues, while he’s also a competent tackler who doesn’t shirk from his defensive responsibilities.
Lynagh is still learning the craft at the professional level, so it’s not surprising a degree of casualness can creep into his game.
He threw a lazy pass to Zane Nonggorr soon after half-time that handed possession over to the Blues, who were initially awarded a try in the following phase-play, only for it to be disallowed because of an earlier knock-on.
There are still five rounds left in the regular season and potentially a finals series for the fourth-placed Reds, giving Lynagh the opportunity to iron out chinks in his armour.
It would be a proud family moment should Lynagh earn selection to face the Lions, given his father Michael played in the 1989 series.
While the Lions took the honours on that occasion, British and Irish rugby fans with long memories would be mindful of the misery Michael Lynagh inflicted on their respective nations during his decorated career.
He was an integral member of the Wallabies’ Grand Slam-winning side in 1984 and helped orchestrate the last-gasp quarterfinal victory over Ireland in the successful 1991 World Cup campaign, which was iced by the 12—6 defeat of England in the tournament decider.
McDermott keeps on keeping on
Perhaps enhancing Lynagh’s selection hopes is the effective halves combination he has developed alongside Reds co-captain Tate McDermott.
Last week’s column argued McDermott is the frontrunner to play scrum half for the Wallabies against the Lions and he only boosted his chances with another sound knock for the Reds in the win over the Blues.
His highlights reel featured an outstanding try in the 51st minute when the Reds were nervously leading 14—7.
From the base of a ruck, McDermott shaped to pass just outside the Blues’ 22, but spotted a gap in the defensive line, through which he galloped on his way to crossing the stripe.
Tate McDermott’s try effectively killed off any hope of a Blues victory. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
McDermott’s try, converted by Lynagh, gave the Reds a 14-point advantage, which the Blues could not overcome.
He also impressed in defence, having teamed up with Lynagh to hold out Kurt Eklund over the line during a sustained period of attack from the Blues.
McDermott only started in one Test in 2024, but came off the bench in another 11 internationals, replacing Jake Gordon on most of those occasions.
His solid form this year — and the fact Gordon has missed a large chunk of the NSW Waratahs’ season through injury — points to him having the inside running for the Wallabies’ number nine jersey.
Brumbies come up short
Despite scoring the first try, the Brumbies always seemed to be a step behind the Hurricanes in their 35—29 loss to the visitors at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.
The Hurricanes scored five tries to four and enjoyed more time with ball in hand, having restricted the Brumbies to 42 per cent of possession.
As Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa said after the match, his side made good use of the ball they had, but it was a case of them needing “more of it”.
They didn’t help themselves defensively, missing 46 of their 232 tackle attempts, while coach Stephen Larkham admitted his troops was beaten by the Hurricanes in the breakdown battle.
The Brumbies also conceded 10 penalties to five, including seven inside their half.
But the line-out was on song, with each of their throws finding its target.
It was an up and down night for the Brumbies, who stay third on the standings but trail the Chiefs and Crusaders by eight points.
Their fortunes were reflected in Tom Wright’s performance, with the Wallabies fullback balancing bright patches with lacklustre moments.
The Hurricanes forced the Brumbies to play catch-up for much of the match. (Getty images: Mark Nolan)
Wright’s efficient work over the ball earned a breakdown penalty during the first half and he threw a well-timed lofted pass to Andy Muirhead for the Brumbies flyer’s late try.
But missed tackles, giving up a penalty and a spilt high ball were examples of when Wright put the Brumbies under pressure.
As superbly as Wright played for the Wallabies last year, his hold on the fullback role may be under threat from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Suaalii has started at fullback in all but one of his five appearances for the Waratahs this season, impressing in the position since returning from a toe injury.
He will figure in the Wallabies’ backline against the Lions, however it’s just a matter of whether it will be at fullback or in the centres.
Wright and Suaalii will face each other when the Brumbies play the Waratahs in Canberra on Saturday night.
The showdown will no doubt be seen by many as a form guide as to who will play 15 against the Lions.
Waratahs to decide on Tupou
The Wright vs Suaalii plot-line will be among several enticing match-ups in the capital on the weekend.
Set to create interest is the potential meeting between Australia’s two most talented tight-head props — Alaalatoa and the Waratahs’ Taniela Tupou.
But this will largely depend on Tupou starting against the Brumbies.
He played off the bench against Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs in rounds eight and nine, before being rested against Fijian Drua due to the national rotation policy.
Taniela Tupou has not started for the Waratahs since their round-seven match against the Hurricanes. (Getty Images: Hagen Hopkins)
Daniel Botha has started at tight-head in the Waratahs’ past three matches.
Tupou’s demotion to the reserves came after the Waratahs were hammered 57—12 by the Hurricanes in round seven, with coach Dan McKellar saying he wanted to get “more out” of the Wallabies bookend.
The ex-Melbourne Rebel has given up a lot of ground to Alaalatoa, who has been the best-performed Australian tight-head this season.
Force hit with leadership void
The Western Force were already facing an uphill battle when they took the field against the Chiefs at Tauranga’s Bay Oval of Friday night, missing Wallabies duo Jeremy Williams and Nic White.
Their leadership and experience were sorely missed in the 56—22 thumping handed out by the competition-leading Chiefs, who were without injured All Black Damian McKenzie.
Despite being in front on the scoreboard twice in the first half, not much went right for the Force.
Poor defensive reads were costly, as proven by Chiefs scrum half Cortez Ratima’s back-to-back tries in the second term.
Harry Potter scored a double in the Force’s heavy loss to the Chiefs. (Getty Images: Michael Bradley)
Missing skipper Williams, the Force’s line-out was often dysfunctional, although a Darcy Swain steal did spark Bayley Kuenzle’s try in the fifth minute of play.
From a Wallabies perspective, there was scarcely a Force player who pushed their selection claims for the Lions series, although winger Harry Potter’s second try showed a touch of brilliance.
The Force slipped to sixth on the standings, staying on 22 points, with the Waratahs (21 points) now seventh.
After licking their wounds following the defeat to the Chiefs, the Force will conclude a testing road trip in New Zealand when they clash with the Blues at Eden Park on Friday night.
