logo
How a Wallabies great forged a global union as Lynagh battle looms

How a Wallabies great forged a global union as Lynagh battle looms

Fresh off his maiden starting appearance in Wallabies colours in defeat to the British and Irish Lions, Tom Lynagh will be bracing for a future in which he is pitted against his brother.
The Australian five-eighth's Super Rugby Pacific outfit, the Queensland Reds, have announced a groundbreaking partnership with Italian side Benetton – the club which the 22-year-old's older sibling, Louis Lynagh, currently plays for.
Four Reds – Josh Flook, Richie Asiata, John Bryant and Louis Werchon – will leave in July for a three-month secondment, in which they will feature in Europe's United Rugby Championship.
Queensland will travel to Treviso for the first time in November 2026 when they will face-off with Benetton, opening the door for the Lynagh boys to square off, after their father – Wallabies great Michael Lynagh – won trophies at each club.
'The connection was made through Michael Lynagh,' Reds general manager of high performance Sam Cordingley said.
Loading
'Right from the start, we have felt a genuine will to create opportunities that can benefit two proud clubs and two strong brands.'
Cordingley, and Benetton general manager of rugby Antonio Pavanello, launched discussions of the partnership in January as the Australian side took part in their European tour, in which they clashed with Bristol and Ulster.
It followed contests with Wales, Tonga and Japanese franchise Saitama Wild Knights in 2024, while they also battled the Lions this month and hope to include another fixture on their Italy tour.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Blackburn's pride at inclusion among Bulldogs' greats
Blackburn's pride at inclusion among Bulldogs' greats

Perth Now

time43 minutes ago

  • Perth Now

Blackburn's pride at inclusion among Bulldogs' greats

AFLW star Ellie Blackburn can't hide her emotion at being named one of the Western Bulldogs' greatest players of the last century. An elite group of 25 - featuring the likes of Ted Whitten, Doug Hawkins and modern champion Marcus Bontempelli - was honoured as part of the club's AFL/VFL centenary celebrations. A three-time All-Australian, five-time best-and-fairest winner and 2018 premiership captain, Blackburn was the only female player on the list. "It's pretty incredible to be acknowledged and recognised amongst the club's history in that form," Blackburn said. "I'm so proud to be in that position and really humbled by it. "It was one of those moments that I didn't expect to happen and caught me off guard a little bit. "But I've been quite emotional thinking about it and what it means to me and my loved ones as well. It's really special." Blackburn, 30, has recovered after missing most of last season with a foot injury and will be key to the Bulldogs' finals chances in 2025. "It was challenging in a different way, missing games for the first time in my career," Blackburn said. "To be back and ready to be playing footy, I'm just looking forward to getting out there in round one. It will be lots of fun. "You won't be able to wipe the smile off my face running out again." Melbourne visit the Bulldogs at Whitten Oval on August 16 in the two teams' season opener. The league's oldest rivalry - forged between the clubs with a series of exhibition matches before AFLW's 2017 inception - is back after a year off, after the fixture list didn't pit the two clubs against each other in 2024. Blackburn called on league officials to make the Hampson-Hardeman Cup fixture an annual event. "I'm very pleased it's back. It's part of women's footy," Blackburn said. "It's a long-standing tradition now between our two football clubs and two teams that really invested in women's footy right from the get-go. "It's one of those games that we do love having and I don't think necessarily just for our two teams and our clubs - it's for footy fans and women's footy fans in general. "It holds a special place for all of us."

Boxing: Tszyu taken to hospital after loss to Fundora, Pacquiao earns draw in comeback fight
Boxing: Tszyu taken to hospital after loss to Fundora, Pacquiao earns draw in comeback fight

Sydney Morning Herald

time7 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

Boxing: Tszyu taken to hospital after loss to Fundora, Pacquiao earns draw in comeback fight

Latest posts Just as the great Manny Pacquiao was entering the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at the age of 46, Tim Tszyu was being rushed from the arena to hospital. It meant Tszyu didn't get a chance to see what true greatness looks like. This was the Australian's third shot at a world title and it again ended in heartbreak. There was no asterisk next to this result, a rematch against WBC super-welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora. When they first clashed 16 months ago, Tszyu could point to blood pouring into his eyes from a horror head cut as a mitigating factor. There were no excuses this time. At the scene of his father Kostya's most famous victory, that stupendous knockout of Zab Judah almost a quarter of a century ago, Tszyu copped a sobering lesson about where he sits in boxing's world order. Fundora dominated from the outset, flooring Tszyu in the opening round. Somehow he survived until the end of the seventh, before failing to come out to meet the bell for the start of the eighth. It was a surprise to witness Tszyu finish on his stool, given he landed his best shots in the moments just before the bout was called off. There was contention over whether the decision was made by Tszyu or his corner, who felt their man was gassed after walking into a barrage of jabs over the preceding 21 minutes. Either way, Tszyu had no more fight left in him. 'He is one tough motherf-—r,' Tszyu said. 'I tried to give it everything, but just couldn't do it. Victory belongs to Sebstian Fundora, the best 154-pounder on the planet right now.' Tszyu said a cut that had opened above his right eye didn't contribute to the stoppage. 'He was just a better man,' Tszyu said. 'He's just very hard to land [on]. He's tough as f–-. Sometimes it felt like I was shadow boxing with myself. It is what it is, congratulations to Fundora and his team.' There will be no trilogy fight. In the space of 16 months, Tszyu has lost his undefeated record and the three world championship fights that he has contested. This might be as close to a world title as he will ever get to again. The 'Soul Taker' labelled Fundora's punches as 'stringy' and lacking power in the lead up, but there was a sting in the American's jab. Fundora, standing at 197 centimeters tall, had a distinct height and reach advantage and used it to good effect. The southpaw clipped Tszyu every time he lunged in, and also showed a solid chin whenever a punch got through his defences. 'You know what, I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and went 'Oh wow, I have reach,' Fundora said, a hint to the way he controlled the ring. 'We've been working on aggression my whole professional career and now we're just adding the length of my arms.' Tszyu's handlers insisted Tszyu was taken to hospital as a 'precaution', but it remains to be seen if the real damage is physical or psychological. This was meant to be his big American moment, sharing the stage with Pacquiao, who was making a comeback at 46 years of age. Ultimately, the 'Pac Man' had to settle for a majority draw against Marios Barrios, meaning the latter retained his WBC welterweight title. It's one thing to share the stage with the greats, owning it is another altogether. yesterday 2.28pm Both men want a rematch Barrios won the last three rounds, just enough to level it up in the eyes of the judges. 'I thought I pulled it out,' Barrios said. 'I still tip my hat to Manny, nothing but love and respect. 'We still came in here and left everything in the ring … he is still a very awkward fighter to figure out. 'I tried to make him feel old, but he still has some legs in the tank.' Both men said they were keen for a rematch. yesterday 2.24pm And the winner is: No one! It's a majority draw! One judge gave it to Barrios 115-113, the other two scored it 114-all. So it's a draw. Which means Barrios, as the title holder, remains the WBC belt. According to Compubox, Barrios landed the more punches, 120-101. However, Pacquiao apparently landed the more power punches, 81-75. 'I won the fight,' Pacquiao said. 'It was a close fight, very tough. Wonderful fight. 'It's an inspiration to old boxers, if you have discipline and hard work, you can still fight.' Asked if he will fight again, Pacquiao said: 'I think so.' yesterday 2.15pm Round 11: Barrios wins that round His corner told him not show Pacquiao any respect. No touching gloves. Take none of his nonsense. While Pacquiao landed late, I'd give that round to Barrios. He landed a beautiful combination early in the round, perhaps the best of the round. yesterday 2.10pm Round 10: Championship rounds coming up Terrific flurry from Barrios at the minute mark, one of his better combinations of the fight. He needs more of that; the unofficial scorecard has Pacquiao in front by three rounds after the ninth. Pacquiao landed a nice body shot with a minute to go, and then landed the last combination of the round. yesterday 2.06pm Round 9: Pacquiao in control Pacquiao is getting better the longer the fight goes on. He no longer throws those four or five-punch combinations that he did in his pomp, but Pacquiao has been the better man over the last few rounds. yesterday 2.01pm Round 8: 'Pac Man' lands the better blows A couple of nice body shots from Barrios midway through the round. After seven rounds, the broadcaster had Pacquiao ahead by one after seven rounds. I've given this round to Pacquiao, he's countered really well and the crowd is going spare. yesterday 1.58pm Round 7: Manny Pacquiao not slowing down Interesting to see how Manny Pacquiao fares in the second half of the fight. There's a feeling he will get better once he shakes off the ring rust, but then there's the fact that he's going deep in a title fight at the age of 46. Pacquiao started the seventh really well and the broadcaster claims he has landed the more power punches so far. Barrios' team is imploring him to stay busy and not just load up for one big shot. yesterday 1.54pm Tszyu taken straight to hospital Tim Tszyu would have loved to watch the Manny Pacquiao fight, but that's not happening. The Australian has been taken straight to hospital for what his team describes as a 'precautionary' measure. I'm hearing it was Tszyu's corner who made the decision to stop the fight, rather than Tszyu. However, Tszyu didn't argue with the move when the prospect of stopping was put to him. Tszyu was just too gassed after copping all those jabs and couldn't go on. Round 6: Will the judges lean towards 'Pac Man'? There's little between these two, which is a concern for Barrios. If it goes to the judges, and I think it will, I'm tipping they will lean towards the hall-of-famer.

Wallabies: Rob Valetini fit for second Test against Lions
Wallabies: Rob Valetini fit for second Test against Lions

Courier-Mail

time8 hours ago

  • Courier-Mail

Wallabies: Rob Valetini fit for second Test against Lions

Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News. Wallabies star Rob Valetini has declared himself 'good to go' for Australia's do-or-die clash with the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night at the MCG and has backed the decision not to play him in his team's first Test loss in Brisbane. The presence of the intimidating flanker was sorely missed by the Wallabies in the Lions' 27-19 weekend win at Suncorp Stadium. Missing the game hurt, Valetini thought he was a 'shoo-in' to overcome a calf injury and be fit for the match. 'But it was a smart idea just to have a week off and get through some more training and a bit of more loading through the calf,' Valetini said in Melbourne. 'I did a session Saturday morning. I did a pretty tough session there, so (the calf) feels good to go. 'I had to put all my focus through my recovery and getting through all my exercise and trying to get the body right for the next two Tests.' Rob Valetini is ready to return to Australia's forward pack on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions. Picture:However the third Test on Saturday week in Sydney will mean nothing if the Lions clinch the three-game series with a win at the MCG. 'I was eager to get on the field (in Brisbane) but couldn't, and that's the challenge for us this week, knowing what's coming and trying to prepare for that,' said Melbourne-born Valetini, who hopes to deliver a strong performance in front of family and friends. Not that he's feeling any extra pressure to do so despite the series being on the line for the Wallabies. 'I feel like it's just another game of rugby and something I've been playing ever since I was young,' Valetini said. 'I just try to go out there and just do my job, whether that's carrying (the ball) or doing the tackling. I'm just trying to do my bit for the team, and hopefully I can help the other boys as well.' Veteran Wallabies prop James Slipper welcomed the likely return of Valetini, a two-time John Eales Medal winner. 'His size definitely helps – he's a really good player,' Slipper said of the 26-year-old ACT Brumbies back-rower. 'He gives a lot of boys around him a lot of confidence just the way he goes about his business.' Wallabies prop James Slipper has now played in two series against the British and Irish Lions. Picture: David Gray / AFP) Slipper suggested the Wallabies pack would also be boosted by the expected return of towering lock Will Skelton, who also missed the first Test with a calf problem. 'He (Valetini) won't be the only one that we'll be looking forward to seeing back out there this week. We've got a pretty full fit squad to pick from this weekend,' Slipper said. Slipper has now played in two series against the Lions after also being part of the Wallabies squad that lost 2-1 in 2013 when Australia won the second Test of the series – also in Melbourne – to ensure a decider a week later. 'The belief is there in the group. It's about diving into that and making sure we prepare really well,' he said. Originally published as Rob Valetini set to return from calf injury to play for Wallabies in do-or-die battle with British and Irish Lions

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store