Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is backing three-cap flyhalf Tom Lynagh to “run the game” when they square up against the British & Irish Lions at the Suncorp Stadium in the first Test of the 2025 series.
Lynagh follows in the footsteps of his father, World Cup-winning Wallabies legend Michael Lynagh, as the 22-year-old wins the race to wear the No 10 jersey against the Lions in a halfback partnership with Jake Gordon.
“I’m really excited for Tom,” Schmidt told reporters in Brisbane. “He’s a great kid with a quiet confidence about him. You wouldn’t think that he’s necessarily designed to run a game and dictate what’s happening, but he does have a quiet confidence that gives us the confidence that he’s going to run the game really well for us. His kicking game is strong. He’s got good acceleration and he’s incredibly brave to a fault.”
Lynagh’s opportunity was presented by an injury to Noah Lolesio, and the continued absence of blindside brute Rob Valetini has opened the door for uncapped Nick Champion de Crespigny to make Test debut.
“If it was the last game of the series, I think they would have been in the mix,” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said of Valetini, lock Will Skelton and flanker Langi Gleeson, all recovering from calf injuries. “But the risk you take if you put those guys out there and they’re not quite ready, and push them through, you may end up worse off.”
De Crespigny, who played club rugby in France before returning to Australia with the Western Force, has been named to start at blindside flank in a back row that includes Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson.
MORE: Famous Wallaby surname could start at 10
Up front, Test veterans James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa pack down either side of hooker Matt Faessler, while Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams continue their second-row partnership.
Tom Wright starts at fullback, flanked by Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter, with Joseph Suaalii and Len Ikitau again in midfield.
On the bench, prop Tom Robertson is in line for his first Test appearance since 2022, while Carlo Tizzano and Tom Hooper provide loose forward cover. Andrew Kellaway is set for his 40th Test in the No 23 jersey.
ALSO: Pollock, Farrell set to miss out
“We know we must adapt fast and improve quickly from the performance we had against Fiji,” Schmidt said. “We’re conscious of earning the public’s support through the effort they see on the field.”
WALLABIES — 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 James Slipper.
Bench: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
Your 23 to take on The Lions ?
?️ https://t.co/JtxDG8aI2m
? @Channel9 | @StanSportAU#Wallabies #LionsTour2025 pic.twitter.com/ys5bR026MS— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 17, 2025
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
