How unheralded flyer made history as Wallabies hopefuls race the clock
There was still a smile on his face and an air of self-belief in Lachie Anderson when asked to relive his historic four-try heroics, a feat which puts him in rarefied air as one of only three Australians – and first Queensland Red – to do so.
But with the highs of his first-half romp against the Fijian Drua on the weekend behind him, the 27-year-old flyer's attention has quickly shifted to Friday night's qualifying final against the Crusaders, a clash for which his side are battling an overflowing casualty ward.
Despite the 52-7 drubbing at Suncorp Stadium, inspirational No.8 Harry Wilson (wrist) and winger Tim Ryan (ankle) face an anxious wait to determine if they will be fit to play, while back-up five-eighth Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is expected to be ruled out with concussion.
Seru Uru (knee) is touch and go to recover, while Liam Wright (shoulder) and Matt Faessler (hamstring) will still be sidelined.
But Anderson, who credited the pack's foundation for his exploits, backed the Ballymore depth to not be overawed by their Christchurch mission if called upon.
Loading
'It's always special when you get some self-accolades with all the hard work you put in, but for me, winning's the most important thing,' Anderson said.
'Our forwards set a really good platform for us early in the game. Their carries gave us momentum, and we collapsed them in the middle a bit, and it opened up some spaces on the edge.
'We spoke at the start of the year that you don't win Super Rugby with just 23 blokes. It's about everyone in the locker room, and whenever you're called upon you've got to be ready to step up.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Queensland Reds searching for key to Super Rugby Pacific finals success in New Zealand
The Reds must beat one of Super Rugby Pacific's top-four teams for the first time this season on Friday night in Christchurch if they are to avoid being knocked out in the first week of the finals series for the fourth successive year. A Queensland team that finished fifth on the ladder meets the second-placed Crusaders, who will end the Reds' season with a win at Apollo Projects Stadium. The two teams met at the same venue at the same stage of the finals series in 2022, with the Crusaders winning 37-15. Queensland's trend of losing in New Zealand in week one of the finals was to continue in 2023 and 2024, with successive losses to the Chiefs. 'We've had a number of quarter-finals here in the last couple years ago, so we know what it's going to be like,' Reds captain Tate McDermott said on Thursday. 'We know that the crowd and weather might not be on our side, but it's a really exciting challenge for this group, particularly after the disappointment of last year's quarter-final.' Tomorrow, we go ðŸ�¨ — Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) June 5, 2025 The Reds were beaten 43-21 by the Chiefs in Hamilton at the same stage last season, with the game as good as over in less than 25 minutes after the hosts scored four unanswered tries. 'You've obviously got to start fast and if you don't start fast, you've got to stay in the grind which we didn't and found ourselves down four tries,' McDermott said. 'It's all about momentum (on Friday) night. We've got to make sure that first of all, we try to get that momentum, and you can do that through a number of ways, but then if we don't have the momentum, we use our defence to get the momentum back. 'We haven't iced those big moments when we've been in the lead in a couple of quarter-finals, just taking our foot off a little bit. and we can't do that.' The Reds announced on Thursday that McDermott's fellow halfback Kalani Thomas had signed a new two-year deal with Queensland. 'Being around home in a good environment and playing for a team I love, I didn't want to leave,' said 23-year-old Thomas, who will come off the bench on Friday night. 'I had a couple of options to consider but I want to commit in Australia, especially with the World Cup coming up in 2027. 'My ultimate goal is to play for the Wallabies. I may or may not. but I'll know I've given it my all.'
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Master v apprentice: The Wallabies' great debate nears a verdict
This is a clash of master versus apprentice like Australian rugby has not seen in years, and right at the heart of the Wallabies' hopes of dismantling the British and Irish Lions. On one side stands Tom Lynagh, the evolving five-eighth whose father Michael's legacy ensured expectations would always follow him. On the other side awaits James O'Connor, the nation's last No.10 to battle the Lions, and who has developed a reputation in 2025 as a composed finisher off the bench. He also happens to be the man who mentored Lynagh behind the scenes at Ballymore last year, although the 22-year-old admits he has not heard from him for weeks. When Lynagh's Queensland Reds head to Christchurch to challenge O'Connor's Crusaders in the first week of the finals, more will be on the line than Wallabies caps. Australian rugby has been crying out for Super Rugby success. The country's two clubs still with hope have stumbled at this stage – the Reds, three straight quarter-final exits, and the Brumbies, perennial semi-finalists. Lynagh's task will be daunting. He's set to play 80 minutes, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips ruled out with a concussion suffered on Saturday against the Fijian Drua. Loading 'You've seen how much of a professional he is,' Reds outside centre Josh Flook said. 'He's just improving week by week, he's getting more confident and his game management's increasing. Even just through the week how he's speaking up at meetings, it's a really cool thing, and we'll back him 100 per cent.' Triumph across the ditch might mean more than ending the Reds' first week of the finals hoodoo. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has stated finals form would favour consideration at the selection table, while noting those who had committed to Australian rugby would be preferred in tight choices. That puts Brumbies star Noah Lolesio, Schmidt's leading man in 2024, on the back foot, with the Gold Coast product headed for Japan. Should Lynagh orchestrate a finals shock in enemy territory, the jersey could be sealed. 'What I have seen [of Lynagh] is really positive,' Schmidt said. 'I think Tom is a really brave player, defensively he does a good job, and he's actually a lot better in the air than people would give him credit for. 'His kicking game is long enough, his passing game is efficient, and he's growing into a guy who can drive the game around the field. They're a lot of the aspects we would be looking for.' Lynagh is confident he has the game to thrive in Wallabies colours. He has developed a fierce running game to complement his booming boot – which inspired three of winger Lachie Anderson's four tries against the Drua – as his combination with Reds and Australia halfback Tate McDermott grows. 'The big thing about Tommy is he's strung multiple games together, which hasn't happened in the past,' McDermott said. 'He's controlled and led the side, which is not easy at his age. 'We can go into the Test arena together, 100 per cent, but in order to do that we have to be playing consistently good in the maroon jersey. 'I think we've only just started.' And yet, Lynagh refused to think that far ahead. 'Obviously, the deeper you go [in finals] you've got a better opportunity and more time to show what you've got,' Lynagh said. 'But I want to take care of what we've got in front of us and stay present.' In O'Connor's case, Schmidt has spoken to him about the prospect of an international swan song. The 34-year-old's steady hand, direct kicking game and effective work off the tee has been, in part, responsible for the Crusaders' second-place finish. O'Connor's Test return has the backing of former Wallabies skipper James Horwill, who waged war with the Lions alongside O'Connor in 2013 and declared: 'I'm sure he's in the mix'. Loading Such has been O'Connor's proficiency in the closing minutes, a fast start will be crucial for the Reds. This stage of the season has been a tipping point, but Lynagh declared the team was not the same as those that fell in the past. 'We've got belief to turn games around if things aren't going our way, and that's based on past experiences we've had as a team together,' Lynagh said.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Master v apprentice: The Wallabies' great debate nears a verdict
This is a clash of master versus apprentice like Australian rugby has not seen in years, and right at the heart of the Wallabies' hopes of dismantling the British and Irish Lions. On one side stands Tom Lynagh, the evolving five-eighth whose father Michael's legacy ensured expectations would always follow him. On the other side awaits James O'Connor, the nation's last No.10 to battle the Lions, and who has developed a reputation in 2025 as a composed finisher off the bench. He also happens to be the man who mentored Lynagh behind the scenes at Ballymore last year, although the 22-year-old admits he has not heard from him for weeks. When Lynagh's Queensland Reds head to Christchurch to challenge O'Connor's Crusaders in the first week of the finals, more will be on the line than Wallabies caps. Australian rugby has been crying out for Super Rugby success. The country's two clubs still with hope have stumbled at this stage – the Reds, three straight quarter-final exits, and the Brumbies, perennial semi-finalists. Lynagh's task will be daunting. He's set to play 80 minutes, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips ruled out with a concussion suffered on Saturday against the Fijian Drua. Loading 'You've seen how much of a professional he is,' Reds outside centre Josh Flook said. 'He's just improving week by week, he's getting more confident and his game management's increasing. Even just through the week how he's speaking up at meetings, it's a really cool thing, and we'll back him 100 per cent.' Triumph across the ditch might mean more than ending the Reds' first week of the finals hoodoo. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has stated finals form would favour consideration at the selection table, while noting those who had committed to Australian rugby would be preferred in tight choices. That puts Brumbies star Noah Lolesio, Schmidt's leading man in 2024, on the back foot, with the Gold Coast product headed for Japan. Should Lynagh orchestrate a finals shock in enemy territory, the jersey could be sealed. 'What I have seen [of Lynagh] is really positive,' Schmidt said. 'I think Tom is a really brave player, defensively he does a good job, and he's actually a lot better in the air than people would give him credit for. 'His kicking game is long enough, his passing game is efficient, and he's growing into a guy who can drive the game around the field. They're a lot of the aspects we would be looking for.' Lynagh is confident he has the game to thrive in Wallabies colours. He has developed a fierce running game to complement his booming boot – which inspired three of winger Lachie Anderson's four tries against the Drua – as his combination with Reds and Australia halfback Tate McDermott grows. 'The big thing about Tommy is he's strung multiple games together, which hasn't happened in the past,' McDermott said. 'He's controlled and led the side, which is not easy at his age. 'We can go into the Test arena together, 100 per cent, but in order to do that we have to be playing consistently good in the maroon jersey. 'I think we've only just started.' And yet, Lynagh refused to think that far ahead. 'Obviously, the deeper you go [in finals] you've got a better opportunity and more time to show what you've got,' Lynagh said. 'But I want to take care of what we've got in front of us and stay present.' In O'Connor's case, Schmidt has spoken to him about the prospect of an international swan song. The 34-year-old's steady hand, direct kicking game and effective work off the tee has been, in part, responsible for the Crusaders' second-place finish. O'Connor's Test return has the backing of former Wallabies skipper James Horwill, who waged war with the Lions alongside O'Connor in 2013 and declared: 'I'm sure he's in the mix'. Loading Such has been O'Connor's proficiency in the closing minutes, a fast start will be crucial for the Reds. This stage of the season has been a tipping point, but Lynagh declared the team was not the same as those that fell in the past. 'We've got belief to turn games around if things aren't going our way, and that's based on past experiences we've had as a team together,' Lynagh said.
