Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss insists Australian rugby can keep fledgling star Harry McLaughlin-Phillips for the long haul, despite his limited minutes in 2025.
The 21-year-old has showcased an instinctive play style built on his running game, but has been stuck behind Test prospect Tom Lynagh at the Queensland Reds.
Off contract at season’s end, McLaughlin-Phillips will get his fifth start of the Super Rugby campaign in the No.10 jumper for Saturday’s clash against the Brumbies, with Lynagh sidelined under concussion protocols.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in action for the Junior Wallabies.Credit: Getty Images
However, on three occasions coming off the bench he has played less than 10 minutes, while in the Reds’ round seven triumph of the Western Force he did not get on the field.
Despite the allure of lucrative overseas competitions, McLaughlin-Phillips told this masthead this year he intended to remain on home soil and pursue his Wallabies’ ambitions.
Noah Lolesio’s defection to Japanese rugby from next year has left a void at the Brumbies to fill, while Waratah Tane Edmed and Force maestro Ben Donaldson are both unsigned beyond this year, presenting chances for a possible move for greater opportunities.
But Reds mentor Kiss believes his youngster can still attain his goals from Ballymore, having also developed into an inside centre and fullback option.
“Absolutely,” Kiss said, when asked if it was feasible for Queensland to keep McLaughlin-Phillips, with Lynagh contracted until the end of 2026.
“I’ve worked in the Irish system, and players can balance minutes and still be part of an Irish squad, so that can happen here as well.
“We’re going to be a strong province this year, next year and the years to follow, and he’s a big part of that. He’s done a lot of work looking at the 12 role as well, so we know we can mix our game up.
“He’s so diligent in what he does. These qualities are broader than what the minutes have shown, he’s going to get plenty of minutes, and he knows that.”
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will get his fifth Queensland Reds start for the year against the Brumbies.Credit: Getty Images
Throughout the campaign, Lynagh’s game management has hit new heights, and he has credited the repetition of being thrown into various situations as a starter for that rise – an opportunity McLaughlin-Phillips, a Junior Wallabies representative last year, has been unable to get consistently.
But in the 28-21 win against the Waratahs, he stood up – still managing two clean breaks while beating three defenders, but proving he had the tools to guide his team to victory with the scores locked at 14-14 upon his injection.
“I thought in the second half [against the Waratahs] in those conditions he mixed the balance of his game very well. He’s a solid, tough lad too, and he can take the line on,” Kiss said.
“Against the Waratahs, we had to go under and through them because they were fairly aggressive in their defensive line, and we probably expect the same thing against the Brumbies.
“If Harry was in charge for the rest of the year, I think we’re in pretty good hands. I’ve got no problems with that at all, and I guarantee you our leadership has a lot of faith in him as well.”
Lynagh will be joined in the casualty ward by Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (shoulder) and Seru Uru (knee), with Kiss uncertain on the timeline of their returns.
