Tom Lynagh has vowed to take “more control” in video games after successful the three-way battle to begin at flyhalf for Queensland in opposition to New South Wales on Saturday evening.
With skilled playmaker James O’Connor sidelined with a hamstring harm, Lynagh was in competitors with Junior Wallaby Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Lawson Creighton to put on the Reds’ No.10 jersey within the opening spherical Super Rugby Pacific conflict at Suncorp Stadium.
And having absolutely overcome a pre-season again downside, 20-year-old Lynagh acquired the nod from new Reds coach Les Kiss.
McLaughlin-Phillips has been named on the bench, with Creighton not chosen within the 23-man match-day squad.
“I’ve got good options at No.10 and this week it is Tom Lynagh’s opportunity,” Kiss stated.
“He’s familiar with what it takes at Super Rugby level after his debut season in 2023 and he’ll bring that experience to the game.”
Lynagh has relished the battle for the flyhalf spot.
“It’s good we have that competition,” the son of Reds and Wallabies nice Michael Lynagh stated.
“It drives us all to be better, and even with James injured, he has been passing on his knowledge.
“I do feel I learnt a lot from last season in our good moments as a team and also in the tough losses.
“Taking a bit more control on the field is one area of development. I’ve enjoyed connecting will all the new coaches for a fresh season.”
Elsewhere within the backline, Wallabies excitement-machine Jordan Petaia – who might have been chosen at outdoors centre or on the wing – will begin at fullback, with Jock Campbell having to be content material with a bench spot.
In the forwards, former All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman will make his Reds debut after earlier Super Rugby stints with the Crusaders and the Blues.
“Having a prop of Alex’s vast experience is fantastic. He’s played a lot of Super Rugby,” Kiss stated.
The Reds coach additionally stated that the Queenslanders anticipated NSW to be a “difficult opponent”.
“It’s tough, it’s exciting, it’s rivalry at its best – it’s an occasion I live for,” stated Kiss, a former Waratahs assistant coach who represented Queensland in rugby league’s State of Origin collection.
“As a team, we know what the Waratahs are capable of and what this game means to them. Nothing is taken for granted.”
Reds: Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia. Bench: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Sef Fa’agase, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jock Campbell.
Waratahs: Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Joey Walton. Bench: Theo Fourie, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Dan Botha, Sam Thomson, Hugh Sinclair, Teddy Wilson, Harry Wilson, Max Jorgensen.
Source: www.news.com.au
