Tom Lynagh remains committed to Queensland and Australian rugby despite it being “pretty tough” living away from his England-based family.
The 19-year-old flyhalf and son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh has signed a new contract which will keep him at the Reds until at least the end of 2025.
Born in Italy and raised in England, Lynagh first moved to Queensland in 2021 to join the Reds’ program.
This year he made his Super Rugby Pacific debut and if not for some lingering concussion symptoms, would have been part of a Wallabies squad assembling for a training camp on the Gold Coast later this month under recently appointed coach Eddie Jones.
“I don’t really want to be anywhere else at the moment,” Lynagh said on Tuesday.
“It’s a very exciting time for Australian rugby with the Lions series here (in 2025) and the home World Cup in 2027.
“Especially (with) the addition of Eddie to the coaching staff, it’s a pretty good time for Australian rugby and very exciting. I lot of people want to be a part of it, especially me.”
The only downside for Lynagh is being away from his family in the UK.
“For them, the main thing is my happiness. It’s pretty tough on them for me to be over here, and I’m finding it pretty tough being away from them too, but I’ve got the boys here at the Reds and they’re looking after me pretty well,” he said.
Lynagh said it is good to know he is in the thoughts of Jones, but that his priority is adding to his four Super Rugby Pacific appearances for the Reds.
“I’m pretty frustrated that I can’t play for the Reds at the moment,” he said.
“That’s where I want to be playing right now, so if I’m not playing for the Reds, then I won’t be involved in any Wallaby stuff – so it’s play for the Reds first, and play consistently, then that stuff will follow.”
Lynagh said learning how to “play against men” had been his main challenge since moving to Queensland.
“I had never played against men before I moved out here. The step up in physicality and experience and was a real big step up,” he said.
Lynagh said he is grateful for the support he has received from experienced Reds flyhalf James O’Connor, who missed selection in Jones’ Wallabies squad.
“It’s great to hear a guy like James O’Connor say that he wants to take me under his wing. It would be good to have him around for another couple of years,” he said.
“He’s been really good at giving me those game management and experience tips.”
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