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Wallabies legend's son rejects Europe to chase Australian dream

Former Australia fly-half Michael Lynagh

Tom Lynagh was born in Italy and has grown up in England, so it shocked even his former World Cup-winning Wallabies father Michael when he said he wanted to play for the Queensland Reds.

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While the pale skin was struggling with the first signs of a Brisbane summer on Wednesday, the 17-year-old Lynagh made clear where his loyalties lie as he began life at Ballymore.

“I have always dreamt of playing for Australia,” he said after emerging from two weeks of quarantine.

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“I might not get the opportunity but it’s just about the dream and the Queensland Reds seem like a good place to help me reach that.

“I like the brand of rugby that’s played down here, felt it was my style of play.”

A five-eighth like his father, Lynagh had been impressing for Harlequins and England’s academy system before breaking the news to his parents.

“We were sitting in the car and he said, ‘I don’t really want to play in that, I want to go to Australia’. It was a bit of a shock,” Michael said.

The teenage Lynagh’s arrival comes while older brother Louis has recommitted to Harlequins – despite Rugby Australia’s efforts to retain top talent and reject the lure of big-money European and Japanese deals.

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“That’s why it was a bold decision by Tom to leave the comfort of where he was to say ‘that’s what I want to do’,” Michael said.

“I was very proud of him to make such a big decision rather than follow in his brother’s footsteps, but I don’t think it had anything do to with bucking the trend (of Rugby Australia’s talent drain).

“It was just what he wanted to do; he’s lucky the Reds gave him the opportunity to do that and he’s done nothing so far, so he knows it’s now up to him.”

Lynagh felt his son was arriving at the Reds, who won last seasons’ Super Rugby AU title, with the club “on the up and bringing back some of the glory days”.

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But with Tom now following in his footsteps he said his 100 Reds caps and 72 tests were not regular topics at the dinner table.

“I get stick from the boys when I start talking, but it’s all been pretty low key, we don’t have memorabilia around the house,” Michael said.

“Going through school people know the name and they’ve dealt with it very well.

“We’re pleased Tom’s made this huge decision, a big, bold decision and hopefully he’ll find his way and make his own stories.”

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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