The ‘posh lad from Richmond’ steering the Wallabies against the Lions

First Test: Australia versus the British and Irish Lions

Date: Saturday, July 19; Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, kicks off at 11:00 BST

Tom Lynagh was aware of the importance of making a decision. However, it’s possible he didn’t anticipate it arriving so quickly.

He was just 17 when he made a video call during his final year of college in the midst of Covid lockdowns.

Brad Thorn and Sam Cordingley, both of whom were former All Black and Wallaby, were on screen and on the other side of the world.

The simpler option would have been to live in Richmond with his parents and attend Harlequins with his older brother Louis, who currently lives there.

Any ambitions to play for England would be put on ice if they were to relocate. Given the logistics, it would be challenging to get to Italy, which he also qualified for and which Louis now represents.

On Aussie Green and Gold would be the only chips Lynagh had.

Five years after that video call, he makes his debut for Australia against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane on Saturday.

Paul Burke, former Ireland and Harlequins fly-half and Lynagh’s director of rugby at Epsom College, says, “We all sat down, he thought about it, spoke to all the relevant parties, and made a wise, mature, and informed decision.”

He understood that his talent was recognized in this country and that he had opportunities to stay in England, but he chose to pursue what he wanted.

Without his parents, residing with his grandparents, and establishing himself in a new place, it was a huge step out of his comfort zone.

Lynagh brought baggage down under. Michael, his father, is a 72-cap Wallaby legend with 24 carats. He played fly-half, much like Tom. Michael was unapologetically present during Tom’s school games, quietly watching and cheering.

However, Lynagh junior outshined Burke because of attitude, as well as inherited traits.

Burke continues, “He was incredibly talented right from the beginning. He was always going to be a great person.

He played rugby, football, and cricket brilliantly.

His character and attitude were most important, but his functional movement and ability to read a game were very natural.

On arrival in Australia, the pale child with a big name and a small frame undoubtedly confounded expectations.

He is “Defensively tough,” according to Queensland Reds assistant coach Jon Fisher.

“He is tough, despite the fact that you might assume he is the posh lad from Richmond.

The beauty of Tommy is that he is very composed, not laid-back, because that probably has unfair connotations, but he is very measured.

Tommy has a commanding field position whenever we have faced Kiwi opponents in significant matches.

However, no one is certain as to what degree.

In February 2023, Lynagh made his Reds debut after being key to the 2013 series against the Lions, James O’Connor.

He scored four tries in 13 games this year, and he has shown more with the ball.

However, he has not had much testing.

The Wallabies have three bench appearances, totaling an hour of international game time.

The 22-year-old probably wouldn’t have made Saturday’s matchday 23 had first-choice Wallaby fly-half Noah Lolesio not been injured a fortnight ago because of a neck injury.

Finn Russell will play opposite him on Saturday at 10 for the tourists. Russell’s career has been expanding to the point where it is now, a decade older.

Lynagh’s, in contrast, has only recently begun.

Joe Schmidt, the coach for Australia, acknowledges that Lynagh’s first Test debut will take place on such a high level.

He might need to pick up quickly, Schmidt said.

Crash courses can become train wrecks.