Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has no intention of hunting for opportunities overseas in his bid to become one of rugby’s leading five-eighths.
He has declared he is not going anywhere – determined to claim Tom Lynagh’s Queensland Reds jumper as his own, and in doing so, thrust his name into Australia’s Test line-up.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, pictured in action for the Junior Wallabies, has declared his intent to remain in Australian rugby. Credit: Getty Images
“No,” McLaughlin-Phillips said, when asked by this masthead if he envisioned having to move elsewhere to become a starting No.10, “I’m hoping I can play well enough that it becomes my position.”
Tom Lynagh followed in his father, Michael’s, footsteps in making his Wallabies debut.Credit: Getty Images
But those memories aren’t enough to satisfy him.
“They’re only small moments,” McLaughlin-Phillips said.
“You can take those moments as little confidence boosters, but relying on them to give yourself all the confidence rather than put the work in, I don’t think is the way to go about it.”
And while last year transpired as a development year for McLaughlin-Phillips, rested at stages of the campaign before partaking in Junior Wallabies and Australia A duties, the Toowoomba product declared his time being eased into Super Rugby was over.
“I don’t know what the policy will be, or what the coaches will do, but my aim is to be playing every week,” McLaughlin-Phillips said.
“The main thing I’m looking to bring into the year is the game management and game control side of the game, and I think Tom and I are just going to compete for that 10 position.
“We’re going to push each other as hard as we can to get that spot.”
The Reds fly to Britain on Friday, for clashes against Bristol and Ulster.
The pair painted contrasting styles in 2024.
There was Lynagh: the controlling influence backed with a strong kicking game.
Then there was McLaughlin-Phillips: the dynamic ball runner striving to embrace coach Les Kiss’ philosophy of playing “the picture we see and the game in front of us, rather than the game we planned for”.
While Lynagh is signed until 2026, and earned four Test caps last year, star halfback Tate McDermott believed the No.10 spot was not set in stone.
The Queensland co-captain shared the field with Lynagh for the Wallabies.
But he had seen enough of McLaughlin-Phillips to suggest he, too, had the makings of a Test star.
“I’ve really enjoyed seeing Tommy progress. He used to be someone who’d sit in meetings and not say a word, and now he’s taking the reins of this side,” McDermott said.
“We want our 10s to be brave and bold, and Tommy’s coming along in leaps and bounds, so I’m looking forward to seeing where we can take the partnership, and also see where I can take Harry’s game and where Harry can take my game.
“For me and Tommy, the challenge is for us to make sure we’re always on the same page, and like all good 9s and 10s you almost want it to be telepathic. We’re not quite there, but we’re not far off.
“Harry’s got exactly what it takes to go to that next level. He’ll be competing the whole year with Tommy, so I don’t think one needs to own it.”
Tate McDermott on Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
“They’re both doing a terrific job. The beauty of those two is they’re a little bit different with how they play, so depending on our opposition, that will decide which No.10 gets the nod.”
