In a massive selection bombshell, Tom Lynagh – the 22-year-old Queensland Reds flyhalf and son of Wallabies great Michael – is poised to wear the No.10 jersey against the Lions on Saturday night.
Despite earning just three caps off the bench in his rookie season last year, The Roar understands that Joe Schmidt will thrust the rising talent into the biggest test of his life from the outset in Brisbane in front of 50,000.
His elevation to the No.10 jersey comes after Noah Lolesio, who started 12 of the 14 Tests under Schmidt, was ruled out of the series following neck surgery.
Tom Lynagh is poised to wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey against the Lions. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Lynagh is expected to be joined in the halves by Jake Gordon, who has played just four matches in four months after successive leg injuries plagued his Super Rugby season. Tate McDermott, Lynagh’s halves partner, is expected to come off the bench.
Schmidt is expected to go in with an unchanged back five in the backline, with Len Ikitau to partner Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii in the midfield.
Tom Wright is set to play at fullback, with Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter on the wing. Andrew Kellaway is expected to provide cover off the bench.
How the pack shapes up remains to be seen, but it’s thought that Taniela Tupou’s bid to feature in the Test series might have received an early blow.
Elsewhere, there are injury clouds over hooker Dave Porecki and back-to-back John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini, who hurt his calf ahead of the Fijian Test. Tom Hooper could be an option at blindside flanker if Valetini is indeed ruled out.
The Wallabies will confirm their side on Thursday.
Tom Lynagh hasn’t played a match since coming off early against the Crusaders in Christchurch on June 06, 2025. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
The Wallabies are heavy underdogs for the series, with the home side $3.50 outsiders.
It comes after the Wallabies won six of 13 Tests under Schmidt in the new coach’s first season in charge after taking over from Eddie Jones, whose side crashed out of the World Cup in the pool stages.
In contrast, the Lions are five from five on Australian soil, with Andy Farrell’s side delivering one of their better performances over the weekend as they easily put away Les Kiss’ AUNZ Invitational side 48-0 in Adelaide.
But the uncertainty of the team’s makeup, recent injuries, including to Lolesio, as well as the underdone nature of the side has meant it’s hard to know exactly what the shape the Wallabies are in just days out from the Test series opener.
Indeed, Lynagh’s last match was more than a month ago, against the Crusaders on June 6, where the little Reds No.10 was forced off because of a concussion. While, Gordon, who was Schmidt’s first-choice No.9 last year, hasn’t played a game since May 24.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, McDermott backed his Super Rugby halves partner Lynagh to thrive if he was selected to face the Lions.
“I’ve played a lot of footy with Tommy and his development over the last 12 months has been fantastic,” McDermott said.
“The way he steered around the red side this year is true credit to all the work he’s done and all the work that he’s had put into him as well.
“His experiences last year in the Wallabies’ side, Les’ [Kiss] guidance, James [O’Connor] in the background there as well (have got him to this point).
“Whoever gets that first crack, like I said before, Donno’s obviously an experienced player, he’s been to World Cups and whatnot, so there’s a number of options that are kind of in our pocket. And it’s going to be exciting to see who gets that first nod.”
McDermott added that O’Connor had already made a positive impact on the playing group since joining the squad on Friday following Lolesio’s heartache.
“Really happy for someone like James O’Connor,” McDermott said.
“I’ve played a lot of footy with him. To come back in, and it’s a long time since he’s played the Lions, so to have him there, to even be in Donno and Tom Lynagh’s ear, it’s been huge for them.”
Tom Lynagh (R) will follow in the footsteps of his father, Michael, (L) and play against the Lions. Photo: Queensland Rugby Union
By being picked, Lynagh follows in the footsteps of his father, Michael, who played in all three Tests of the 1989 series.
Although the Wallabies lost the series 2-1, the men in gold bounced back to win the World Cup two years later in England.
By doing so, Lynagh, who made his name on the 1984 victorious Grand Slam tour, cemented his name in Australian rugby folklore. He remains the Wallabies’ highest point scorer (911).
Tom Lynagh, too, is one of Australian rugby’s best sharp shooters and kicked at 85 per cent across 13 matches in 2025. He also landed his first goal from near the sideline for the Wallabies on debut against Wales last season.
The Reds playmaker’s kicking in general play is also regarded as the country’s best.
Given the Lions’ shakiness under the high ball during this year’s tour, it’s likely that Schmidt will target the tourists in the air.
