Kiss spared dilemma – for now. His next move could decide Australian rugby’s fate

The logjam of Australia’s top five-eighth prospects has been eased – temporarily – following revelations that Wallabies stars Carter Gordon and Tom Lynagh would miss the opening rounds of Queensland’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

But Reds coach Les Kiss insisted the selection of Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in the No.10 jumper was due to more than the club’s injuries.

McLaughlin-Phillips will spearhead the Queensland attack to launch their year against the Waratahs on Friday night, with Kiss confirming Gordon (leg) and Lynagh (hamstring) were recovering from minor setbacks.

Kiss suggested Gordon could return in “the next week or two”, while Lynagh – who has not played since the British and Irish Lions series as he managed hamstring and concussion issues – was working on building strength ahead of an anticipated return in “a couple of weeks”.

The 21-year-old McLaughlin-Phillips was limited to 403 minutes across 12 games last season, stuck behind Lynagh. The addition of Gordon from his stint in the NRL posed another obstacle to consistent Super Rugby game time.

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McLaughlin-Phillips told this masthead he was yet to consider his future beyond this year, at a time when Australia had churned through five-eighths since Noah Lolesio suffered a neck injury in July before beginning his tenure with Japanese outfit the Toyota Shuttles.

He said working with the Reds’ psychologist, Hayley Cronin, had helped keep him “steady on the emotional roller coaster” he endured in pursuit of greater exposure, and he has refused to give up hope of pressing his case for a Wallabies berth come the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

“Reflecting on the year [2025], it was probably a tougher year than I’d hoped for – obviously, at times, not getting opportunities – that’s just the way life and sport goes,” McLaughlin-Phillips said.

“I haven’t even really started thinking about next year and the years beyond that, I just want to focus on what I can do on the field this year. I’m just worried about how well I can play this year and get the most minutes I can.

“I’m wanting to have my fingerprints on the way we play, lead the team around, and call the shots. Whatever happens, [it] happens after this year, but right now, I’m just focused on what I can do to make the most of 2026.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will get first crack at the Queensland Reds’ No.10 jumper.Credit: Getty Images

“Definitely, the World Cup’s an ambition. A home World Cup is such a rare occasion, and definitely something I want to be involved in – you’d be stupid not to aim for it.”

The absence of international five-eighths has relieved Kiss’ selection dilemma for now – with 18-year-old Finn Mackay also garnering a spot on the bench – but the coach stressed the chief play-making role remained open, regardless of fitness.

Kiss, who will assume the Wallabies’ coaching role mid-year, believes McLaughlin-Phillips still has a long tenure ahead of him in Australian rugby, and says he has not received any suggestion his young hopeful has been exploring other options.

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“Harry was likely going to get first call anyway, based on what we’ve been doing in the off-season. I wouldn’t say he dropped his lip, he put his shoulder to the wheel and ... he respects the fact there are some good players around him as well,” Kiss said when asked how McLaughlin-Phillips reacted to Gordon’s signing.

“He knows he’s a very good player, and I’m really impressed that he just took on the competition with two hands, and he’s just worked hard and continues to grow – he’s a bloody good player too. He hasn’t mentioned anything else – he wanted to stay here and take on the challenge.

“We’ve got good depth there, and as we bring those players back into play, the competition is good.”

Lynagh and Gordon are joined in the Reds’ casualty ward by halfbacks Kalani Thomas (foot) and Tate McDermott (hamstring), with Louis Werchon taking the No.9 jumper.

Reigning World Rugby No.8 of the Year Harry Wilson is also still a few weeks away after undergoing off-season knee surgery, with hulking rookie Vaiuta Latu earning a debut.

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