Lynagh set to start but Wallabies’ biggest weapon in major doubt for Lions opener

Thirty-six years after his father wore the Wallabies No.10 against the British and Lions, rookie Tom Lynagh is set to continue the family tradition at five-eighth for Australia against the tourists in the first Test on Saturday.

But the Wallabies are also facing the dreaded prospect of having to replace their best player. Star back-rower Rob Valetini needs to pass a fitness test on a calf injury on Thursday.

The Lions have their injury worries as well, though, with winger Mack Hansen and fullback Blair Kinghorn both likely to miss the opening Test.

After 18 months of planning for the Lions series, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has been smashed with late injury drama on the eve of the first Test, and to vitally important players.

Schmidt has been forced to find a new No.10 after Noah Lolesio was ruled out with a neck injury, and Valetini and lock Will Skelton are both racing the clock to overcome calf strains.

After backing Noah Lolesio as the Wallabies No.10 for most of his tenure, Schmidt is set to call on Lynagh over the slightly more experienced Ben Donaldson, according to informed sources.

Tom and Michael Lynagh

The team will be named on Thursday.

The selection will be a roll of the dice by Schmidt, given Lynagh has only played four Tests - all from the bench - and he didn’t go on the spring tour last year. Lynagh had a strong season for the Reds but hasn’t played for almost five weeks, due to a broken thumb.

Schmidt is on record as an admirer of Lynagh’s toughness in contact and value as a kicker.

Michael Lynagh was the Wallabies No.10 for all three Tests in the 1989 Lions series, meaning Lynagh’s selection would also provide a first in 126 years of Wallabies-Lions history, as the first father-son duo to both play Tests against the Home Nations.

Tom Lynagh slotting a conversion for the Reds.

Tom Lynagh grew up in England, where Michael had moved for work after retiring, but always said he felt Australian and was signed by the Reds in 2021 after finishing school.

Speaking on Tuesday, Queensland and Wallabies teammate Tate McDermott praised Lynagh’s growth from the “really shy” youngster who arrived at Ballymore during COVID.

“Obviously, everyone knew who he was and his old man, and everyone loved having him a part of the group. But he just wanted to learn,” McDermott said.

Michael Lynagh kicking against the British and Irish Lions in the third Test in 1989.

“He’s obviously a guy that comes with a lot of expectation, having the last name Lynagh. And the way he’s gone about his work has been brilliant.

“I’ve played a lot of footy with Tommy and his development over the last 12 months has been fantastic,” McDermott said.

McDermott diplomatically said there were three good options at No.10 but also let slip about Lynagh: “I’m really excited to see how he goes on Saturday”.

Meanwhile, the Wallabies are bracing for the loss of Valetini. Given that he won the John Eales medal for the last two years, it’s a huge blow.

Rob Valetini on the charge for the Wallabies.

Speaking to Lions Central on Stan on Tuesday, Schmidt said Skelton was training well but admitted Valetini was not yet fully fit.

“Will trained fully today, and he is a bit further ahead from Rob. But Rob, is getting to 90 per cent speeds, plus. It’s a look at how they go Thursday and will springboard selection from there,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt is usually a stickler for not picking players who haven’t trained fully with the team during the week, which points to Valetini missing out. Langi Gleeson and Tom Hooper are next in line.

But given the outsized importance of the big Brumbies back-rower to the Wallabies, Schmidt may consider a change to that policy.

Stats from Stan Sport show Valetini has been the Wallabies’ No.1 ball carrier for each of the past four years, and made the most dominant contacts and post-contact metres in each of those four years, too.

Winning the first Test is vital for the Wallabies, but Schmidt will also have to weigh up the longer-term risk of playing Valetini when he is not 100 per cent.

A worse injury could see him ruled out for the rest of three-Test series and games in the Rugby Championship, too, which will be critical for finishing the year ranked in the top six, and getting a top seeding for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.