Famous Wallaby surname could start at 10
The son of a Wallabies legend is set to feature for Australia in Saturday’s first Test against the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane.
With first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio ruled out following neck surgery, the No 10 jersey is set to fall to Tom Lynagh – son of Wallabies legend Michael Lynagh, who played against the Lions in 1989. If selected, the 21-year-old playmaker will follow in some very famous footsteps.
Ben Donaldson was initially seen as the favourite to take the role, but Lynagh appears to have jumped in front of him with Australian media saying he would get the nod to start.
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Flanker Rob Valetini has resumed training in a big boost for Australia ahead of the first Test, with assistant coach Geoff Parling saying on Wednesday they’re “very hopeful” the dynamic forward will be fit.
The Brumbies stalwart, who’s arguably Australia’s best player, has been battling a hamstring issue and missed their warm-up clash against Fiji this month.
But Parling says he’s making good progress and could feature if he passes a fitness final test.
“Rob trained (on Tuesday). He’s a quality player like everyone knows and we’re very hopeful he’ll be available for selection,” said Parling, who will depart the Wallabies to become Leicester Tigers head coach once the Lions tour is over.
There have been suggestions that the Wallabies might not risk Valetini for the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday, with two more Tests to come.
But Parling said they would select their strongest team.
“In terms of saving people for a series, I don’t think you’d ever really do that. It’s more just if someone’s fit and ready to perform, can they improve a team?” he said.
“If yeah, we’ll get them out there.”
France-based lock Will Skelton has also been dealing with a niggle, but he too is back training, leaving Parling and Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt with a selection dilemma.
Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams are the incumbents, but the giant Skelton could prove invaluable given the physical threat posed by the Lions.
“It’s different when Will’s in there. He brings different attributes that other guys don’t have, certainly around the static excursion points like scrum, the maul, other bits, the collision. It makes my job a bit harder,” added Parling.
Australia name their match-23 on Thursday.
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