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'Actually, fantastic': The bright light for the Queensland Reds in the heavy defeat
By AAP
An emotional Tom Lynagh has held back tears as he thanked his dad and Wallabies great Michael for flying from England to watch his Super Rugby Pacific debut.
The 19-year-old was impressive at No.10 for the Reds in Townsville on Saturday despite their 47-13 loss to the Hurricanes.
Lynagh kicked two early penalties and set up the Reds' lone try with a cross-field bomb to establish an early lead, before the Auckland side skipped away.
"I'll try not to cry," he said in front of his teammates post-game.
"Pretty disappointed (by the result) so it's a very bittersweet moment.
"It's been a pretty good 18 months and I've loved every second of being around you boys.
"And thanks to my family and friends back home. It was pretty special having you here tonight Dad, it means the world to me."
The Italy-born teenager had never started for his University of Queensland first grade side since moving to Ballymore from England before last season.
But, with his dad, a World Cup winner and former Reds skipper watching on, he fronted up physically in defence to impress his coach and captain.
"I'm disappointed for Tom ... 80 minutes, a 19-year-old kicking goals and he ran back there and dived on a loose ball and was back on his feet waiting for support," coach Brad Thorn said.
"Actually, fantastic."
Halfback and skipper Tate McDermott described his debut as a "ripper".
"He was really impressive. That's all we asked him to do, be loud and he was loud in spades and kicked really well.
"For someone that young being that courageous in this environment, my hat goes off to him and we've just got to do better as a side to support him."
Unforced turnovers in prime field position and back-to-back yellow cards crippled the Reds, who next face the improved Western Force at Melbourne Super Round on Sunday.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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