So emphatic was Tim Ryan’s try-scoring form when he burst onto the scene last year, he found himself on the cusp of a shock Wallabies berth.
Yet the young flyer known as the ‘Junkyard Dog’ has gone five games without crossing the white line – a decline Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss believed had been a blessing in disguise.
Coming off a syndesmosis injury, the 21-year-old has steadily found ways to thrive with extra attention on him – running for 71 metres while making a linebreak and two tackle busts in Saturday’s tense triumph of the Western Force.
Tim Ryan was a regular try-scorer last year, but his lone try in 2025 was in the Reds’ first clash against Moana Pasifika.Credit: Getty
He also came up with a clutch try assist looping to his opposite wing in a six-point win against the Highlanders.
Ryan’s eight tries in six starts led Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt to tell the youngster he only needed to physically mature to be considered, while Test great Lote Tuquiri believed his mentality would keep him in the conversation.
“He’s still thirsty for knowledge, it seems like he wants to get better. I’m not saying he’s a finished article, but … he’s got a game where he’s really exciting.”
Lote Tuquiri on Tim Ryan
While Kiss admitted Ryan started the year “a fraction slow”, his work rate off the ball had enabled him to add new dimensions to his game.
“He’s had touches, if not during a passage then into a passage, where he’s created an opportunity and someone else has taken the opportunity to score,” Kiss said.
“It’s not manifesting in tries, but other things are happening from what he does in the game. He’s got the right temperament in terms of how he wants to attack the game.
“I don’t think there’s any second season syndrome, his effort base is where it needs to be, and if he’s getting marked a bit more that’s what he’s going to learn and grow from.
“He’s definitely maturing in his body, he’s young, so every one month he gets in the gym he’s getting more robust, and he’s building a stronger base throughout his body.
“He’s in a pretty good place really, I’m not concerned at all.”
Ryan’s chance to break into a heated wingers field for the British and Irish Lions tour received an unfortunate boost, with Waratahs star Max Jorgensen’s ankle injury putting his Super Rugby Pacific season in jeopardy.
However, Ryan’s most in-form rival for the job looms as his own teammate – Filipo Daugunu.
Daugunu hinted on the eve of the campaign where he saw his future would hinge on his Test prospects, as he comes off contract at seasons end and admits he toyed with the idea of taking his talents to France.
The 30-year-old’s shift from wing to outside centre for the injured Josh Flook (hamstring) has highlighted his versatility and deft kicking game, while scoring six tries.
Daugunu is expected to move back to the wing at some stage, and Kiss believed that adaptability had thrown him firmly into Wallabies calculations.
Filipo Daugunu has been lauded as “one of the form players of the competition”.Credit: AAP
“He’s certainly making himself recognised. When he played wing he was killing it, and he’s managed to cover 13 for us, and he’s playing that well,” Kiss said.
“The versatility side is getting him noticed for sure. He’s certainly one of the form players of the competition.”
