'If not now, when?': Lynagh ready for Lions hot seat
The 22-year-old Lynagh boasts just three appearances off the bench for Australia.
The Queensland Reds playmaker will wear the Wallabies' No.10 for the first time on Saturday.
Schmidt revealed that twice last year niggling injuries had thwarted attempts to start the son of World Cup-winning flyhalf Michael.
And a broken hand meant he didn't feature against Fiji this month.
Noah Lolesio's neck injury in that game then created an opening for a starting debut on the grandest of stages.
"Not ideal, to be starting your first Test match against the Lions," a wry Schmidt said ahead of the Suncorp Stadium opener.
"You have to start somewhere, and if not now, when? So now's good."
The blockbuster, once-in-12-year Australian tour returns with the Wallabies intent on regaining respect after a historically poor 2023 World Cup.
The Lions have won five lead-in games since arriving late last month and have ambitions to notch a rare 3-0 sweep of a series that's been neck-and-neck in their three previous visits.
Schmidt knows he's put Lynagh on the spot, but reckons the composure required is in his blood.
"When you haven't seen someone at the level, haven't been put under the pressure that's going to come, you're not quite sure how things are going to work out," he said.
"Whatever does get thrown at Tom, I'm confident he'll cope and learn from the occasion, and it may be that he has to learn quickly."
The selection is a historic one, with the Lynaghs set to become the first father and son to play for the Wallabies against the Lions.
Michael pulled the strings in 1989 and won a World Cup in a decorated 72-Test career that included 15 as captain.
"You wouldn't think he's necessarily designed to run a game and dictate what's happening," Schmidt said of his understated puppet master.
"He does have a quiet confidence that gives us a quiet confidence.
"(Good) kicking game ... good acceleration, and he's incredibly brave, to a fault.
"I always felt Michael had a quiet control of games and calmness about the way he ran the game, and I do think there's a bit of that in Tom."
Adding to the intrigue is that Jake Gordon, not his Reds teammate Tate McDermott, will wear the No.9.
Schmidt said it was a tight call to start the Waratahs scrumhalf ahead of the Reds captain.
He reasoned that Gordon offered a veteran presence around set pieces, and returning from a hamstring niggle would be easier if he started, rather than warmed the bench.
"Limited, but we've spent a lot of time together training," Gordon said of their rookie partnership.
"The luxury is he has such a good skill set, is really calm under pressure."
Reds teammate and back-row star Fraser McReight has seen Lynagh develop rapidly since he arrived at Ballymore, fresh out of high school from the UK, in 2021.
"Very calm, the quiet confidence, and you know he's going to do the hard yakka, put his head in dark places," McReight said of the Italian-born talent.
"First start, at home, a few decades after his old man ... it shows how far he's come."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
It's a long shot. But Sydney FC should be applauded for having a crack at Thomas Müller
Domestically, the Australian football economy continues to shrink. Club distributions are down from over $3 million per season to an all-time low of $530,000, and so most clubs don't even bother trying to sign big names. It's beyond them, and there is little appetite from club owners to dig their hands even further into their pockets. And when they do, they have to settle for the likes of Douglas Costa, who had already had his run through MLS by the time he washed up at the Sky Blues last season, but has proved to be a worthy signing, or Juan Mata, who was many years past his peak when Western Sydney Wanderers had the chance to grab him - as evidenced by his on-field output. Mata might yet return next season, but if he does, he'll be a luxury add-on for the Wanderers, rather than a key starting player. A-League clubs have largely pivoted towards bringing through academy players - and so they should. They've finally learned how to turn young, homegrown talent into sizeable transfer fees, and flipping kids for cash is the only way they can be sustainable in the long term. It's good for the game, too. It's a shift that is already benefiting the Socceroos and, in turn, will reinforce the A-League's legitimacy as a breeding ground and relevance for the many fans in Australia who follow European football but not the local product. The more that A-League alumni players can reach the top levels, the more it says to the unconverted that our competition is worth keeping a close eye on. But that can't be all that the A-League is, or will be. For one thing, those youngsters need to have hardened pros next to them in the dressing room to learn from. If the A-League was too reliant on experienced players in the past, it now runs the risk of going too far the other way. A careful balance has to be struck. Star power has always been the thing that moves the needle in this country, but it's never been more true than today. As mass culture continues to splinter into a million micro-niches, the need to have something - or someone - with cut-through power is critical. Müller is that sort of someone. And for every player who opts for the megabucks, there might be one per cent of them who are happy to forego those earnings for the glorious Australian lifestyle, of which the appeal to foreigners we sometimes underestimate because we're so lucky to experience it 24/7. Del Piero, don't forget, turned down more money elsewhere - and even a contract offer from Liverpool - because he was so attracted by the wonders of Sydney. Loading To ask the question of Müller is to send a message to the rest of the football world - and to sceptical local fans - that the A-League still has ambition. There's no risk in trying. In fact, the risk is not trying, and never knowing if he might have been the next Del Piero. At worst, you get a polite rejection. At best, you spark the sort of rare moment that can reignite interest in the domestic game, especially at a time when eyeballs are hard to win.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Liverpool confirm permanent tribute to Diogo Jota
Liverpool have confirmed a permanent tribute will be created to remember Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. Reds forward Jota, 28, died in a car crash along with his brother Silva in Spain on July 3. Tributes have been paid at Anfield with flowers, scarves, cards and jerseys being laid around the stadium. Liverpool confirmed that physical tributes have been removed and stored, while floral tributes will be composted and used in flower beds at Anfield and training facilities. The remaining items will be recycled and used to create a permanent memorial sculpture at Anfield. Additionally, players will have a "Forever 20" emblem - referencing Jota's now-retired shirt number - printed on their shirts and stadium jackets for the season. "The thousands of physical tributes outside Anfield have been gradually removed over the course of the last week and carefully separated and safely stored," the club said. "Floral tributes will then be composted and used in flower beds across all club sites, including Anfield, the AXA Training Centre and AXA Melwood Training Centre. "The remaining artefacts will be recycled by a specialist company and used to help create a permanent memorial sculpture that will become a future focal point of remembrance at Anfield. "In the meantime, a temporary area of reflection has been created at Anfield so people can continue to pay their respects." The club announced earlier in the month that Jota's number 20 had been retired in his honour across all levels, including the women's and academy teams. Liverpool paid tribute to Jota and Silva during their friendly against Preston on July 13, where supporters chanted Jota's name. Respects will also be paid ahead of the Reds' remaining pre-season games, where a floral tribute will be laid before kick-off at their games in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Anfield. Liverpool's Premier League season kicks off with a meeting against Bournemouth on August 15 and a main commemoration is set to take place with a special fan mosaic and a minute of silence.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Wallabies vs Lions LIVE: Australia in must-win Test to keep series alive at a packed MCG
Latest posts Latest posts 6.58pm A roar across Melbourne By Tom Decent I can officially report Melbourne has Lions fever. I have been at a watering hole around the corner from the MCG and the atmosphere is unbelievable. I have covered rugby in about 10 countries and am struggling to recall such a great vibe before a Test. The walk to the ground is a sea of red with a bit of gold. No rain at the moment, which was contrary to the forecast. 'Lions, Lions, Lions' chants popping off everywhere. 90,000 plus at the MCG expected. Imagine a Wallabies win. It would be massive. 6.57pm How the Lions are lining up This Lions team has got a major Irish feel to it with nine Irish players in the starting lineup, which would have been ten if centre Garry Ringrose hadn't selflessly reported concussion symptoms. Another Irishman misses out, with second-rower Joe McCarthy injured, with Ollie Chessum coming in to partner captain Maro Itoje. Like Schmidt, coach Andy Farrell has gone for a 6/2 split, trusting his son Owen to provide cover at 10 and 12, with Scotland's Blair Kinghorn able to play at fullback and wing with ease. In the first Test, the halves Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park dictated the game with ease. Let's see if they can replicate it at the MCG. 6.49pm Who have you got tonight? 6.49pm How the Wallabies are lining up Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has resisted the urge to tinker with his backline which remains unchanged from the first Test in Brisbane. The pack is a different story. David Porecki comes in at hooker and Billy Pollard stays on the bench, with the Reds' Matt Faessler out of the squad. The Wallabies faithful will be delighted to see the combined muscle of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton to help them break the Lions' stubborn and organised defence. The Wallabies have gone for a 6/2 bench, to prepare for the wetter conditions in Melbourne, with Langi Gleeson and Angus Bell both providing ball carrying strength off the bench. 6.48pm Good evening rugby fans Good evening everyone to the second Test and quite possibly the biggest game of rugby the Wallabies have played in a decade. It's Jonathan Drennan taking you through tonight's action, helped by a talented backline outside me ready to fire. We have Roy Ward, who did an excellent piece on the state of rugby union in Victoria this week, alongside Tom 'diamonds' Decent and Iain 'the North Shore express' Payten. All three gents are in the MCG with the 90,000 fans expected in the iconic venue. Last week, the Wallabies were brutally outmuscled by the Lions, but staggered back into the game late, before losing by eight points. Many of the overseas press was deeply impressed with Australia and as ever, the Wallabies need to find a big performance to silence the detractors. It's a huge ask to level the series, but not impossible it happened right here in Melbourne for the Wallabies in 2001 and 2013. Kickoff is set for 8pm AEST and you can watch all the action on Nine and Stan Sport who also own this masthead. But please also follow along as we bring you the main moments and reactions pre and post game. We're in the hometown of Pete Samu and Rob Valetini, the stage is perfectly set, let's get into this.
