Queensland rugby has been blessed with wonderful playmakers over the years.
Paul McLean, Michael Lynagh, Elton Flatley, Quade Cooper in years gone by.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has set the competition alight playing for Souths.
Isaac Lucas is “the one that got away”, but Queensland Rugby is intent on not letting that happen with the next crop.
Tom Lynagh is already following in dad Michael’s footsteps, having made his Super Rugby debut this season and showing he is comfortable in the top flight.
Lawson Creighton has proven he’s got the mettle to lead a provincial team around – helping the Reds to wins over Moana Pasifika, Western Force and the Chiefs in recent weeks.
But there’s another on the horizon, and good judges believe he has a much higher ceiling.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has set the competition alight playing for Souths in the Hospital Cup.
The Brisbane Boys College graduate has the Magpies flying high, sitting fourth on the ladder after seven rounds; a feat not to be sneezed at given the side’s results in the past few years.
Souths have three wins and three losses, but their defeats have come at the hands of regular finalists GPS by three points, defending champions Wests by one point and heavyweights Brothers on the weekend by three points.
Even in the most recent loss, McLaughlin-Phillips’ superb support play to score and convert his own try drew the Magpies level at 26-all in the final 10 minutes.
The classy fly-half’s performance the week before against competition frontrunners Easts set tongues wagging.
A personal tally of 16 points in the Magpies’ 43-39 win is one thing.
His 14 defenders beaten is another. A stat that takes his season tally to 23, equal first in the competition.
But the assessment from some notable spectators on the day has the young playmaker predicted to do big things.
Former Wallabies assistant coaches Matt Taylor and Dan McKellar were in attendance on the day, both said to be mightily impressed with what they were seeing.
Leicester-bound McKellar was particularly moved.
Even the opposing coach – former Wallabies captain and soon-to-be Brumbies assistant coach, Ben Mowen – couldn’t help but admire how the teenager was taking the Tigers to task.
Strong through contact, quick off the mark, quality core skills and powerfully built, McLaughlin-Phillips looks to be the complete package.
His frame is reminiscent of rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns in his heyday.
While currently sitting behind Tom Lynagh, Creighton, James O’Connor and even Taj Annan in the Reds’ backline stocks, that hasn’t stopped him signing a two-year deal to remain at Ballymore.
With other Super Rugby sides circling, all offering young McLaughlin-Phillips a seemingly much closer shot at Super Rugby action, the bright star’s determination should be admired.
Instead of taking what many believed to be an easier chance interstate, McLaughlin-Phillips is hanging around at the Reds with the belief he can leapfrog those in front of him and become Queensland’s chief playmaker.
His loyalty may be rewarded sooner than later, with the Reds experiencing a shortage of healthy backs. Injuries to Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry have been compounded by concussion to Annan and Creighton.
If good judges like Taylor, McKellar and Mowen (trust me, there are many more) are excited about the future for this kid, fans should start paying attention – if they aren’t already.
Last week’s monumental win over the Chiefs deserves a decent turnout for Queensland’s final home game of 2023, Friday’s clash with the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
It’s hard to remember the last weekend that left Australian rugby fans feeling so buoyant about their team’s hopes in Super Rugby.
Victories to the Reds, Force, Waratahs and Brumbies prove that winning is the most important marketing tool.
Four wins in a weekend and suddenly the competition feels more relevant and engaging.
Teams must continue that momentum, not only for their finals hopes but also to give Super Rugby the shot in the arm it desperately needs.
