Latest news with #Lynagh
Sydney Morning Herald
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Lynagh set to start but Wallabies' biggest weapon in major doubt for Lions opener
Schmidt is on record as an admirer of Lynagh's toughness in contact and value as a kicker. Michael Lynagh was the Wallabies No.10 for all three Tests in the 1989 Lions series, meaning Lynagh's selection would also provide a first in 126 years of Wallabies-Lions history, as the first father-son duo to both play Tests against the Home Nations. Tom Lynagh grew up in England, where Michael had moved for work after retiring, but always said he felt Australian and was signed by the Reds in 2021 after finishing school. Speaking on Tuesday, Queensland and Wallabies teammate Tate McDermott praised Lynagh's growth from the 'really shy' youngster who arrived at Ballymore during COVID. 'Obviously, everyone knew who he was and his old man, and everyone loved having him a part of the group. But he just wanted to learn,' McDermott said. 'He's obviously a guy that comes with a lot of expectation, having the last name Lynagh. And the way he's gone about his work has been brilliant. 'I've played a lot of footy with Tommy and his development over the last 12 months has been fantastic,' McDermott said. McDermott diplomatically said there were three good options at No.10 but also let slip about Lynagh: 'I'm really excited to see how he goes on Saturday'. James O'Connor was also a rookie No.10 in the 2013 series, but he had a somewhat settled team around him. Meanwhile, the Wallabies are bracing for the loss of Valetini. Given that he won the John Eales medal for the last two years, it's a huge blow. Speaking to Lions Central on Stan on Tuesday, Schmidt said Skelton was training well but admitted Valetini was not yet fully fit. 'Will trained fully today, and he is a bit further ahead from Rob. But Rob, is getting to 90 per cent speeds, plus. It's a look at how they go Thursday and will springboard selection from there,' Schmidt said. Schmidt is usually a stickler for not picking players who haven't trained fully with the team during the week, which points to Valetini missing out. Langi Gleeson and Tom Hooper are next in line. But given the outsized importance of the big Brumbies back-rower to the Wallabies, Schmidt may consider a change to that policy. Stats from Stan Sport show Valetini has been the Wallabies' No.1 ball carrier for each of the past four years, and made the most dominant contacts and post-contact metres in each of those four years, too. Winning the first Test is vital for the Wallabies, but Schmidt will also have to weigh up the longer-term risk of playing Valetini when he is not 100 per cent. A worse injury could see him ruled out for the rest of three-Test series and games in the Rugby Championship, too, which will be critical for finishing the year ranked in the top six, and getting a top seeding for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The Age
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
Lynagh set to start but Wallabies' biggest weapon in major doubt for Lions opener
Schmidt is on record as an admirer of Lynagh's toughness in contact and value as a kicker. Michael Lynagh was the Wallabies No.10 for all three Tests in the 1989 Lions series, meaning Lynagh's selection would also provide a first in 126 years of Wallabies-Lions history, as the first father-son duo to both play Tests against the Home Nations. Tom Lynagh grew up in England, where Michael had moved for work after retiring, but always said he felt Australian and was signed by the Reds in 2021 after finishing school. Speaking on Tuesday, Queensland and Wallabies teammate Tate McDermott praised Lynagh's growth from the 'really shy' youngster who arrived at Ballymore during COVID. 'Obviously, everyone knew who he was and his old man, and everyone loved having him a part of the group. But he just wanted to learn,' McDermott said. 'He's obviously a guy that comes with a lot of expectation, having the last name Lynagh. And the way he's gone about his work has been brilliant. 'I've played a lot of footy with Tommy and his development over the last 12 months has been fantastic,' McDermott said. McDermott diplomatically said there were three good options at No.10 but also let slip about Lynagh: 'I'm really excited to see how he goes on Saturday'. James O'Connor was also a rookie No.10 in the 2013 series, but he had a somewhat settled team around him. Meanwhile, the Wallabies are bracing for the loss of Valetini. Given that he won the John Eales medal for the last two years, it's a huge blow. Speaking to Lions Central on Stan on Tuesday, Schmidt said Skelton was training well but admitted Valetini was not yet fully fit. 'Will trained fully today, and he is a bit further ahead from Rob. But Rob, is getting to 90 per cent speeds, plus. It's a look at how they go Thursday and will springboard selection from there,' Schmidt said. Schmidt is usually a stickler for not picking players who haven't trained fully with the team during the week, which points to Valetini missing out. Langi Gleeson and Tom Hooper are next in line. But given the outsized importance of the big Brumbies back-rower to the Wallabies, Schmidt may consider a change to that policy. Stats from Stan Sport show Valetini has been the Wallabies' No.1 ball carrier for each of the past four years, and made the most dominant contacts and post-contact metres in each of those four years, too. Winning the first Test is vital for the Wallabies, but Schmidt will also have to weigh up the longer-term risk of playing Valetini when he is not 100 per cent. A worse injury could see him ruled out for the rest of three-Test series and games in the Rugby Championship, too, which will be critical for finishing the year ranked in the top six, and getting a top seeding for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Son of Wallabies gun eyes Lions family history
A Wallabies son of a gun is ready to etch his own name into Australian rugby history with teammate Tate McDermott adamant Tom Lynagh is ready for the British and Irish Lions cauldron. After five Lions lead-in games, the once-in-12-year Australian tour will properly kick off at a packed Suncorp Stadium for Brisbane's first Test on Saturday. The 22-year-old Lynagh, with just two points across three Test appearances to his name, is fit and figuring strongly after first-choice No.10 Noah Lolesio's neck injury against Fiji early this month ruled him out of contention. Lynagh (hand) was unavailable for that Test, but trained freely on Tuesday at Ballymore and is in a three-way fight with Ben Donaldson and recalled veteran James O'Connor to start on Saturday night. Donaldson deputised impressively after Lolesio's second-half exit in Newcastle while O'Connor - a mentor of sorts for Lynagh last year at the Reds - is eyeing his first Test appearance since 2022. If selected, Lynagh will follow in father and World Cup winner Michael's footsteps - he wore No.10 for the Wallabies against the Lions in 1989 - to create an Australian rugby father-son first. Arriving at Ballymore from England as a fair-haired 18-year-old in 2021 with no senior rugby experience, Lynagh has proved a steady head and reliable boot under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss at the Queensland Reds over the last two years. "When he first arrived he didn't say anything," Reds and Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott said. "Came straight out of boarding school. "Really shy guy; everyone knew his old man and everyone loved having him. He just wanted to learn. "They've (No.10s) got to be the generals and lead and that's the biggest thing he's done in the last 12 months. "Les has just given him the keys to the kingdom this year and let him run the show. "He's incredibly young, still got a hell of a way to go but I'm really excited to see how he goes on Saturday. "A guy that comes with a lot of expectation, with the last name Lynagh, and the way he's gone about his work has been brilliant." Jake Gordon, preferred at No.9 last year under coach Joe Schmidt, is also fit after missing the Fiji Test and is a chance to replace McDermott in the starting side. Hulking lock Will Skelton has declared himself ready after his late scratching for the Fiji Test, but sorely-missed backrower Rob Valetini (calf) remains under an injury cloud. "The number of games they've played, and they've played bloody well," McDermott said of the Lions. "The boys are really keen to rip in."
West Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Son of Wallabies gun eyes Lions family history
A Wallabies son of a gun is ready to etch his own name into Australian rugby history with teammate Tate McDermott adamant Tom Lynagh is ready for the British and Irish Lions cauldron. After five Lions lead-in games, the once-in-12-year Australian tour will properly kick off at a packed Suncorp Stadium for Brisbane's first Test on Saturday. The 22-year-old Lynagh, with just two points across three Test appearances to his name, is fit and figuring strongly after first-choice No.10 Noah Lolesio's neck injury against Fiji early this month ruled him out of contention. Lynagh (hand) was unavailable for that Test, but trained freely on Tuesday at Ballymore and is in a three-way fight with Ben Donaldson and recalled veteran James O'Connor to start on Saturday night. Donaldson deputised impressively after Lolesio's second-half exit in Newcastle while O'Connor - a mentor of sorts for Lynagh last year at the Reds - is eyeing his first Test appearance since 2022. If selected, Lynagh will follow in father and World Cup winner Michael's footsteps - he wore No.10 for the Wallabies against the Lions in 1989 - to create an Australian rugby father-son first. Arriving at Ballymore from England as a fair-haired 18-year-old in 2021 with no senior rugby experience, Lynagh has proved a steady head and reliable boot under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss at the Queensland Reds over the last two years. "When he first arrived he didn't say anything," Reds and Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott said. "Came straight out of boarding school. "Really shy guy; everyone knew his old man and everyone loved having him. He just wanted to learn. "They've (No.10s) got to be the generals and lead and that's the biggest thing he's done in the last 12 months. "Les has just given him the keys to the kingdom this year and let him run the show. "He's incredibly young, still got a hell of a way to go but I'm really excited to see how he goes on Saturday. "A guy that comes with a lot of expectation, with the last name Lynagh, and the way he's gone about his work has been brilliant." Jake Gordon, preferred at No.9 last year under coach Joe Schmidt, is also fit after missing the Fiji Test and is a chance to replace McDermott in the starting side. Hulking lock Will Skelton has declared himself ready after his late scratching for the Fiji Test, but sorely-missed backrower Rob Valetini (calf) remains under an injury cloud. "The number of games they've played, and they've played bloody well," McDermott said of the Lions. "The boys are really keen to rip in."
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Man (20) admits to careless driving causing death of teen girl (17)
Conor Lynagh (20) of Abbey Village, Kilmacrennan was 17 at the time of the offence and has no previous convictions. Charlotte Kelly was taken to Beaumont Hospital where she died from her injuries A man has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of a young woman in Co Donegal. Conor Lynagh (20) of Abbey Village, Kilmacrennan appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court before Judge Roderick Maguire. Charlotte Kelly from Letterkenny, died after the car in which she was a passenger, crashed at Meenlaragh, Glen, Carrigart, Co Donegal on May 1, 2022. Conor Lynagh. Photo: Northwest News Pix. News in 90 Seconds - July 11th Ms Kelly was 17 at the time of the crash and the car was being driven by Lynagh. Lynagh is charged that he did drive a vehicle in a public place without due care and attention, thereby causing the death of a person, namely Charlotte Kelly. The charge is contrary to section 52 (1) and 52 (2A) of the Road Traffic Act 2011. Charlotte Kelly and Conor Lynagh (North West Newspix) At the short arraignment hearing at Letterkenny Courthouse, Lynagh spoke only to plead guilty to the charge. Defence barrister for Lynagh, Mr Colm Smyth SC, instructed by solicitor Frank Dorrian, requested a probation report be carried out for his client and said it would be a benefit to the court. The court heard there was no objection to continuing bail. Mr Smyth said Lynagh was 17 at the time of the offence and has no previous convictions. State Prosecutor Fiona Crawford said this was a summary matter and the guilty plea was accepted on a without prejudice basis. Judge Maguire approved the report and adjourned the case until the October sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.
