Poster boy and the son of a legend: Five Wallabies to watch against the Lions
22-year-old Tom Lynagh, son of Wallabies legend Michael, is set to start the first Test against the Lions at out-half. Pic: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
The poster boy for Australian rugby union following his switch from the Rugby League last year and still only 21, the former Sydney Rooster’s return to the code he played as a kid was an instant success on the Wallabies’ Northern Hemisphere tour last November, and his aerial prowess on restarts caused England all sorts of problems.
The outside centre brings a serious physical threat to the midfield battle and in tandem with an equally rock solid and robust number 12 in Len Ikitau, this combination could be a real thorn in the Lions’ side.
Also look out for any rekindling of the running verbal battle Suaalii entered into with the chirpy Sione Tuipulotu when Australia met Scotland at Murrayfield last autumn.
Joe Schmidt had a decision to make at fly-half after his first-choice 10 Noah Lolesio got crocked with a neck injury against Fiji a fortnight ago, ruling him out of the Lions series.
The Wallabies head coach called up veteran Crusaders playmaker James O’Connor, who faced the Lions as a starting 10 in 2013, but his real choice was who to start against the Lions, Lynagh of the Queensland Reds or Western Force fly-half/full-back Ben Donaldson.
According to Australian media reports, it is Lynagh, four years younger and less experienced than the 26-year-old Donaldson, who has got the nod. It is a big call from Schmidt. Lynagh will be making his first Test start at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday when he wins his fourth
Wallabies cap and as a son of legendary Aussie fly-half
Michael Lynagh, the scrutiny on the Italian-born, English-educated 22-year-old will only intensify in the international arena.
Schmidt clearly thinks Lynagh junior can handle the pressure and a swarming Lions defence.
The giant lock has been causing problems for Irish provinces in the Champions Cup knockout stages, first for Saracens against Munster and more recently against Leinster under Ronan O’Gara’s direction at La Rochelle with whom he has won two European titles.
Skelton also won two Champions Cups and two English Premiership titles at Saracens in partnership with Lions captain Maro Itoje, who this week described his former team-mate as “a world class operator” and “a big man to say the least”.
At 6ft 6ins and more than 21 stone, Skelton can be a weapon in the loose and scrummaging behind the Australian front row and Wallabies supporters will be hoping Joe Schmidt’s optimism that his lock’s calf is ready to go for the second test is well founded.
Australia’s openside flanker enhanced his reputation with some stellar performances against the Lions nations on tour in the Northern Hemisphere last November, not least against Andy Farrell’s Ireland at Aviva Stadium in a tight game the Wallabies could easily have won.
The 26-year-old Brisbane native will be out to rule his home turf this Saturday and Ireland and Lions No.8 Jack Conan is well aware of his breakdown poaching threat.
“We know he is going to be a massive threat and Australia’s back row is unbelievable. It’s one of the best in the world.
“He was great against us in November and we know the challenge and the threat he poses. So, we’re going to have make sure we’re all over the ruck. You saw the Brumbies and the Waratahs the other week, they’re going really hard at the ruck.
“Every team does it but they got a good amount of joy out of us in the breakdown so we know we need to be squeaky clean in that area come the weekend.”
Another reason why the Wallabies back row is such a formidable outfit. When fit, Valetini will be tasked with backing up his status as Australia’s primary ball carrier, a powerhouse player who not only gets over the gainline more than any other Wallaby but also makes the most post-contact metres.
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