Two shock Wallabies bolters emerge. A trial by fire could seal their fate
By Nick Wright
When new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt fronted the media two weeks ago, he was quizzed on the future of the nation’s five-eighth stocks in light of revelations World Cup star Carter Gordon was weighing up a defection to the NRL.
Without hesitation, he threw Queensland Reds rookie Tom Lynagh’s name up as a man who had captured his attention, and now the 20-year-old will seek to announce his international credentials when he returns from injury.
Tom Lynagh is the form No.10 in Australia.Credit: Getty
Less than two seasons into his career, the young five-eighth has demonstrated composure beyond his tender years by guiding his side to within striking distance of the Super Rugby Pacific’s top four, before succumbing to a minor hamstring concern that has ruled him out for the past two weeks.
Lynagh will not fly to Suva when the Reds take on the Fijian Drua, but his blossoming combination with inside centre Hunter Paisami – whose form has presented an irresistible case for a Wallabies recall – could inspire a new Test play-making union.
Since Bernard Foley had a stranglehold on the No. 10 jumper, seven playmakers have been tried since Noah Lolesio’s Test debut in October 2020.
While Lolesio and Gordon could be considered favourites to start against Wales in July, Queensland star Jock Campbell said the son of Australian great Michael Lynagh would excel, equipped as he is with a kicking game that could at last get the Wallabies playing from the front foot.
“I think he’s developed a huge amount in this year, just from game one to the last game he played, in terms of just his voice around the park,” Campbell said.
“He was a really soft-spoken guy. I know there was a big emphasis from him to try to be more loud and aggressive on the field and really dominant, and I feel he’s grown massively in that department.
“More time [to develop] is obviously beneficial, but no doubt he’s ready. That’s not my decision, but experience is never a bad thing for anyone.
“I’m very confident that if he did get the call-up and if they put the right structure around him, he’d be fine – he’s a tough kid.”
Jock Campbell was among the scorers as the Reds beat the Rebels by four points in Brisbane.Credit: AAP
A spate of injuries has also opened the door for Campbell to return to the international fore, having fought through a series of niggling physical concerns last year to hit the form reminiscent of his 2022 campaign.
The 28-year-old played four games for the Wallabies that year, before falling off former coach Eddie Jones’ radar in the build-up to the ill-fated World Cup.
An individual try showcased his skill in the Reds’ 26-22 defeat of the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday, while his ability to mix up a long kicking game with 65 running metres and 2.5 tackle busts a game has helped Queensland bring the attacking brand that coach Les Kiss has sought.
A season-ending shoulder injury to Wallabies star Jordan Petaia has opened the door for Campbell to hold a mortgage on the No. 15 jersey, while Waratahs gun and future Test sensation Max Jorgensen is unlikely to feature in Super Rugby again this year because of a hamstring concern.
Those setbacks could leave Campbell locked in a battle with Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright for Australian fullback duties.
First, however, his focus was on ensuring an injury crisis that has also claimed No.8 Harry Wilson (broken arm) did not derail their premiership quest.
Without Wilson and Petaia, how Lynagh and Campbell navigate such a trial by fire could seal their Wallabies fates.
“It’s always the end goal; I don’t really look at someone getting injured, it doesn’t perk me up or anything like that, but obviously that’s in the back of my mind trying to get a gold jersey,” Campbell said.
“Compared to a lot of boys, my body’s awesome, and I think everyone’s playing with something, so I’m lucky at the moment that my body’s feeling good.
“I’ve been happy with my form lately, I was a bit up and down to start with, but ... I’ve just been focusing on what I can do for the team and how we can get in a position to hopefully sneak into the top four.”
Queensland Reds team vs Fijian Drua
Reds coach Les Kiss has opted to rest hooker Matthew Faessler and young winger Mac Grealy in a bid to manage their workloads, while breakout star Tim Ryan has been shifted to the bench for similar reasons. John Bryant replaces the injured Harry Wilson.
1. Peni Ravai; 2. Josh Nasser; 3. Zane Nonggorr; 4. Ryan Smith; 5. Cormac Daly; 6. Liam Wright (cc); 7. Fraser McReight; 8. John Bryant; 9. Tate McDermott (cc); 10. Lawson Creighton; 11. Floyd Aubrey; 12: Hunter Paisami; 13. Taj Annan; 14. Suliasi Vunivalu; 15. Jock Campbell; 16. George Blake; 17. Sef Fa’agase; 18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen; 19. Seru Uru; 20. Joe Brial; 21. Kalani Thomas; 22. James O’Connor; 23. Tim Ryan