There is no better time to impress than in front of the national coach, and Tom Lynagh’s performance to guide the Reds to a clunky 28-24 triumph of the Western Force may have thrust him into the Wallabies’ box seat.
The 21-year-old son of Test great Michael Lynagh has steadily worked his way firmly into the five-eighth conversation for the looming British and Irish Lions tour, and his clash with opposite number Ben Donaldson could prove pivotal in that final decision.
Tom Lynagh of the Reds runs the ball during the round seven Super Rugby Pacific match.Credit: Getty Images
With Joe Schmidt watching in the crowd, Lynagh’s booming kicking game came to the fore early to create field position for his side to strike, but it was a moment of ad lib magic which drew the most attention.
Queensland endured a horror night on the lineout front – winning just 55 per cent of their chances – and another wayward effort looked destined to end in the Force’s hands.
But the ball was swooped on by Lynagh, who wove through traffic and offload inches from the ground to allow Dre Pakeho – a late inclusion for the injured Hunter Paisami (broken nose) – to score.
After trading tries all night before Donaldson’s penalty goal for the Force in front, Lynagh – who also nailed all four conversions – never flustered, and the Reds were able to execute a rolling maul for Tate McDermott to score the match-winner.
Having endured a long concussion lay-off, Noah Lolesio is yet to stamp his authority for the Brumbies, and while he was the preferred No.10 for Schmidt last year, he undoubtedly has a battle on his hands from the Queensland maestro.
“I think both of them [Lynagh and Donaldson] played pretty good footy, it was a good battle, and he went deep into his minutes again Tommy. It’s been good to be able to build that robustness … it’s good to know Tommy has built that resilience going deep into games.”
Reds coach Les Kiss
Tizzano makes his case as Reds lineout goes missing
Reds star Fraser McReight – who is expected to return from injury for next week’s clash against the Chiefs – has appeared to have a mortgage on the Wallabies’ No.7 jumper.
But Carlo Tizzano is ensuring he remains well and truly in the race.
The 25-year-old, off contract at season’s end, was a menace at the back of the Force’s rolling maul – scoring twice as his side proved flawless from the lineout in the opening half despite the wet conditions.
In contrast, the Reds’ lineout abandoned them – winning just 50 per cent of their chances throughout the first 40 minutes – compared to the faultless Force.
“Obviously, that’s going to be a big point we’re going to have to look at this week. We’ve always known they’ve got a great lineout, they’ve got some world-class operators in there, and they got on top of us. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be a trend carrying on.”
Reds captain Ryan Smith
As for Tizzano, Force coach Simon Cron was adamant he deserved to be firmly in the international mix, even in the same position as the recently re-signed McReight.
“He’s surrounded by a bunch of guys who work really hard for him which allows him to get those tries. I think he’s playing well, and like anything you take each week as it comes and keep working at your performance, and he does that. He’s really impressing.”
Simon Cron on Carlo Tizzano
Daugunu looms as a certain starter
On the eve of the campaign, Filipo Daugunu told this masthead where he decides to extend his future would depend on what his Wallabies’ prospects were.
Based on the performances he has shown, he looms as a certain inclusion for the Lions tour.
The powerhouse back briefly took on the mantle of forward in charging his way over from a pick and drive at close range, before later in the contest his arsenal came to the fore.
Daugunu’s deep kick which found touch within five metres of the Force tryline provided the field position needed for Tate McDermott to score the match-winner, while his own bomb and regather for himself before offloading went close to clinching another moment on the highlight reel.
The 30-year-old has moved from the wing to outside centre in the injury absence of Josh Flook, and while coach Les Kiss confirmed the latter was still “a little while off” returning, his comeback would not automatically mean Daugunu shifts back to the flank.
“It’s not as simple as that, they’re the types of challenges you want as a coach. Filipo is putting some time in, a lot of minutes, and he’s one of the most physical players.”
Les Kiss
Depth test passes
It may not have been pretty, but the Reds’ depth players managed to stand up in the absence of several of the club’s most established stars to take them to a 5-1 winning record.
With no McReight, Paisami, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook and Jock Campbell, Queensland were forced to dig into their extended squad to fill the numbers – having now used 33 players within six matches this year.
John Bryant, coming in to form a new look backrow, will face an anxious judiciary wait after being yellow carded in the second half for a dangerous tackle, but otherwise the incoming brigade fought hard in trying conditions.
Fullback Heremaia Murray’s try in Campbell’s place came on the back of some brilliance – a perfect around the back short pass from Lukhan Salakaia-Loto unleashing him down the touchline to finish within inches of going out.
Kalani Thomas looked busy until he was replaced by McDermott, while Joe Brial carried with intent for his 44 metres and defended tirelessly.
While a time will come for Kiss to lock down his best XV, with the Reds sitting atop of the competition in the multi-nation format for the first time since 2012 the coach confirmed he would continue his rotation policy.
“We’ve got riches in certain areas, so it’s important to make sure we feed the beast of the players. What’s pleasing is there are a whole lot of combinations, and we know that now – that’s the biggest advantage we’ve got.”
Les Kiss
