Latest news with #WallabiesNo.10
Toronto Star
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Tom Lynagh to start at flyhalf for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Tom Lynagh will start at flyhalf for Australia against the Lions in the series-opening test on Saturday, 36 years after his famous father wore the Wallabies No. 10 jersey against the combined British and Irish rugby team. Both squads were announced within a couple of hours on Thursday, with the Lions unveiling a squad that doesn't contain a Welsh player for the first time in tests against either Australia, New Zealand or South Africa since 1896.
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Lolesio's substitute can shine: Wallabies great Giteau
Test centurion Matt Giteau believes Ben Donaldson should wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey against the British and Irish Lions, but says it's "silly" not to include a veteran playmaker in the squad. With first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio ruled out of the series after neck surgery, Donaldson and Tom Lynagh are the front-runners for the role for the opening Test in Brisbane on July 19. Giteau, who played at both 10 and 12 for Australia during his 103 Tests, told AAP that Donaldson showed enough in the Wallabies' last-ditch win over Fiji to be given first start. The Western Force star replaced Lolesio, who suffered a whiplash injury in a tackle, and Giteau was impressed by his composure as well as his skill during his 19 minutes on the field. "With Noah unavailable, Ben Donaldson looks like first-choice 10 to me," said Giteau, who is an ambassador for Lions Tour official sleep partner Resmed. "His obvious ability to carry, he keeps the defence guessing, and he's got a really good kicking game. "When he came on for that limited time against Fiji, the Wallabies were up against the flow of the game, heavily, and he was able to get them back on track. "His penalty kick to the sideline with three minutes to go showed a lot of courage, you know. He went for it and it was a beautiful kick. "Got us down their end, and then off the back of that we were able to get a maul penalty ... and then able to get over the line and get the win. "So I just think his composure in the first Test of the season, especially in an important time in the game, he showed a lot there, so I think Joe (Schmidt) will get a lot of confidence out of his performance." Back in 2015 then Test coach Michael Cheika recalled 92-capped Giteau from France to bolster his squad leading into the World Cup, with the relaxation in overseas selection dubbed the Giteau Law. The former Brumbies and Force player was instrumental in helping Australia make the final in England, with Cheika lauding his big-match experience. Giteau said underdogs Australia would benefit from coach Schmidt including a veteran such as James O'Connor, Kurtley Beale or Bernard Foley when the squad for the Lions is named on Friday. He likened it to the Lions flying in Owen Farrell, who is the only player in their squad to have gone on four Lions tours, winning in 2013 against the Wallabies. "They've seen so many different defence pictures in their time that they can help these young 10s if they are faced with a certain situation in those games, they can prepare them," said 42-year-old Giteau, who only retired last year. "You look at Owen Farrell's inclusion, what he's bringing is leadership and experience - he's the only one in that group that's won a Lions series. "James (O'Connor) and Kurtley (Beale) were part of the previous tour 12 years ago, and Bernard has got big-game experience as well, so these guys have been there and done that. "To not include any of them this second time around, I think would be silly when they've got so much that they can add and help, not only young 10s, but just the whole squad in general." Exiled by then Wallabies coach Robbie Deans before the 2011 World Cup, Giteau's shift to France meant he didn't face the Lions in 2013. He was only a teenager making his Super debut during the previous series in 2001. Giteau said it was only now that he realised the magnitude of missing out on ever playing the Lions, despite a 20-plus year career. "In 2013 when they came I was in France ... and 2001 I just finished school, so I wasn't really reading papers or going to games, so I didn't really understand how massive this opportunity is,'' he said. "But then to sit back and reflect and know that I played over 20 years professionally, but never got the opportunity to play in a Lions series, it is special, and I think the players know that."
Sydney Morning Herald
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Relief as Wallabies star avoids spinal injury, but headaches grow for Schmidt
But Lolesio is all but certain to miss the game, and Lynagh may not even get a chance to push his credentials in the huge game either. The 22-year-old did not return to the field after half-time in the Reds' win over the Waratahs after suffering a concussion, meaning Lynagh will likely miss the Brumbies' clash as well, under the return-to-play protocols. With just under 10 weeks before the first Test, there is hope Lolesio will have enough time to return to full fitness. Lolesio started in nine Tests last year and, if fit, would still be the man most likely to wear the Wallabies No.10 in the first Test against the Lions in Brisbane on July 19. Given the high stakes of a Lions series, Lolesio's experience a 32-Test playmaker is a sizeable trump card over the young contender. The Brumbies star recently signed to play in Japan next year but Schmidt has indicated he will not put a line through departing players when selecting a squad to win the Lions series. Lolesio's nasty injury came just a day after fellow Wallaby Suaalii was also stretchered off with a head knock in the Waratahs' loss to the Reds in Sydney. Suaalii will miss the Waratahs' clash with the Crusaders on Friday night, at least, and while the star code-swapper will definitely be selected for duty against the Lions, getting him to the starting line fit and healthy will be a major priority for Schmidt. If the Crusaders extinguish the Waratahs' slim finals hopes this week, Rugby Australia may err on the side of caution regarding Suaalii's return. The Waratahs sit in eighth on 22 points, four adrift of the top six with three games left. With favourable results elsewhere, three wins would give the Tahs a chance of making the play-offs, but they also face the Blues and the Force away, and they haven't won a game on the road all year. Beating the Crusaders (third on 37 points) at home could provide patriotic support to the second-placed Brumbies (39), and possibly Reds (32). Loading With a horror 0-19 record in play-off games in New Zealand over 25 years, Australian sides effectively need to finish in the top two to be a chance to win Super Rugby. The Brumbies also still have a bye to serve in the second-last round.
