This was far from the off season Tom Lynagh had envisioned, one dominated by bed rest and recovery after a tonsilectomy cruelled his plans of an extensive fitness regime.
But as he prepares to embark for Sydney, where he will link up for the first Wallabies camp of the year, the Reds five-eighth has vowed to take his breakout campaign even further and put himself firmly in the frame for a British and Irish Lions tour berth.
Lynagh, the son of Australia Test great Michael, has delayed his detour to New South Wales, where he will link up under national coach Joe Schmidt once again to begin Queensland’s preseason in a bid to “get the legs ticking over” once again.
Tom Lynagh made terrific strides in his first full Super Rugby Pacific season.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
Having announced himself as a contender for the No.10 Wallabies duties, donning the gold jumper four times, the 21-year-old has experienced few moments of disappointment.
However, one stands out: his omission from the Spring Tour squad.
“That was a thing I wanted to do last year, get involved with the Spring Tour and travel around the UK,” Lynagh said.
“But in the end, I managed to go on a Reds tour [to Japan] and then join up with Australia A afterwards and got some good minutes in three games. I’m pretty happy I ended up doing that.
“Kicking’s been a big part of my game, and [the Wallabies coaching staff] still want me to work on that in all kinds of areas – whether it’s attacking kicking or just clearing, goal kicking especially was one of my poor parts in the Super Rugby season I thought.
“Playing at the line and making the right decisions is also a big work on. I feel a lot more confident and comfortable doing that.”
Lynagh grew tremendously in his first full Super Rugby Pacific season, with veteran playmaker James O’Connor proving a key mentor.
His exposure to the Wallabies’ environment may have even added a few tricks to his bow: “I’ll keep those to myself,” he said, with a wry grin.
Yet Lynagh still felt a sense of frustration – forced to contend with a niggling hamstring concern.
Ensuring his body can withstand the rigours of another season, having become a target of rival defenders, will be key in ensuring he unseats Spring Tour incumbents Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed when the Lions touch down mid-year.
But Lynagh insists his primary focus is on delivering premiership glory to the Reds, adamant if he can inspire a charge to the title his Wallabies bid would be strengthened.
“I think everyone in Australia that plays rugby has done that, trying to head towards that and aim for it,” Lynagh said.
“But I want to take care of the Super Rugby season first, that’s my priority. I’ll look after that first, and hopefully the rest will follow.
“It was pretty tough last year at some points, just battling little niggles, so it was getting pretty frustrating.
“But since they’ve all happened, I’ve been trying to stay on the field as much as I can. It’s my job, I’m a rugby player, I don’t want to sit on the sidelines and watch it.”
