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Wallabies five-eighth Tom Lynagh says the logjam of Australia’s No.10s will not be to the derailment of their Test ambitions, as he prepares for a three-way battle for the job at clubland.
Having missed the end-of-year spring tour in a bid to overcome a host of injury concerns, Lynagh returns to the Queensland Reds fresh and eager to stave off challenges from fellow international playmaker Carter Gordon and rising sensation Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
Gordon’s arrival at Ballymore after an ill-fated NRL stint with the Gold Coast Titans – one marred by a serious neck issue which kept him to just one game – drew criticism from some rugby circles given the Reds now face the prospect of not being able to field a Wallabies’ contender each week.
Tom Lynagh has supported the move for Carter Gordon to join the Queensland Reds.Credit: Getty Images
Australia has also failed to find a consistent chief to spearhead the side – Lynagh, Gordon, Tane Edmed and James O’Connor have all been used since Noah Lolesio’s Japan defection, while Donaldson has remained around the squad.
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But Lynagh, who earned the first chance to replace Lolesio with two appearances against the British and Irish Lions, believed the intense competition for the position would only elevate the standard of the five-eighths within Queensland’s ranks.
“It’s great to have Carter back in rugby, and it’s even better to have him here at the Reds,” he said.
“The insights he’s already given us in the team meetings and on the field very valuable.
“It’s going to drive the whole club forward. I guess we’ll have to wait and see [if the logjam benefits the Wallabies], it’s a long Super Rugby season first, and you have to take care of the Reds before the rest follows.”
Reds coach Les Kiss, who will take the Wallabies’ reins at the end of the Super Rugby season, has said his No.10 options had the capacity to jump around the backline. Both Gordon and McLaughlin-Phillips were capable of filling in at inside centre, while the latter has also trained at fullback.
Gordon was immediately thrust into the Test arena for the spring tour at the end of his rugby league days, starting in the 26-19 defeat to Italy. He said his desire to remain close to home – having grown up on the Sunshine Coast – fuelled his move to the Reds rather than another club.
“It is stacked - competition is always good, regardless of what position you play you always want a couple of boys pushing for that role,” Gordon said.
“I love playing 10 and that’s the position I want to play, but whatever is best for the team I’ll follow Les in.”
Lynagh has declared himself fully fit to engage with the Reds’ preseason, having battled hamstring and concussion issues throughout 2025. He has also been managing a back concern since his teenage cricket days – a stint that included bowling to future England wicket-keeper Jamie Smith.
While he admits his health concerns were a daunting plight in what had otherwise been “one of the best years of my life”, those experiences would inspire his quest towards becoming the Wallabies’ mainstay five-eighth in time for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
“That’s the long-term goal, I’m sure it’s the same for everyone in Australia to hold down that jersey – it’s the ultimate goal. But ... you’ve got to play well at Super Rugby first to even be in with a chance,” Lynagh said.
“I had a lot of time to work over a few things and get the body right for Super Rugby. That was the whole plan around not going on spring tour.”
Lynagh will be joined in Queensland by younger brother Nic, with the outside back signing a development deal as he mounts a comeback from a turbulent period.
The 18-year-old has endured the best part of two years on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury, before tearing his right hamstring off the bone shortly after his return.
Nic admits the shadow of their famous father – Wallabies great Michael Lynagh – has hovered over him, but believes he is ready to emulate Tom in forging his own path towards the top.
“As the youngest brother I feel like I copped it the most. I used to get it on the sidelines - ‘oh there’s a Lynagh, he’s got to do something’, and there was one story where I got sworn at just for being a Lynagh,” he said.
“There are positives and negatives, but I treat pressure as a privilege and don’t try shy away from it.”
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