Less than a week after catching the eye of new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, Reds flyhalf Tom Lynagh has succumbed to a hamstring injury and will miss Queensland’s battle with the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
Schmidt said Lynagh “did really well” in the Reds’ 41-34 Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Blues at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday night.
However, the 21-year-old son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh has suffered an untimely injury setback and also seems likely to miss the Reds’ clash with the Melbourne Rebels on Friday week, despite Queensland coach Les Kiss saying the hamstring problem was “nothing major”.
“We hope it’s only two weeks maximum,” Kiss said.
Replacing Lynagh in the Queensland No.10 jersey will be Lawson Creighton.
“We have got options … so there’s no use risking someone if we don’t need to,” Kiss said.
“Lawson is a very well-organised player with a strong kicking game. We are very comfortable with him leading from No.10.”
Creighton’s inclusion is one of four changes to Queensland’s starting team.
Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight returns from suspension at the expense of John Bryant,
prop Peni Ravai has been called into front-row in place of Alex Hodgman, and returning winger Mac Grealy starts in place of Suliasi Vunivalu, with Tim Ryan holding his wing spot after his three-try performance against the Blues.
“Tim Ryan put forward a compelling case to start again,” said Kiss, who added that McReight’s return was “fantastic”.
Centre Hunter Paisami will make his 50th appearance for the Reds.
“Hunter has been exceptional for us … the way he has grown his game,” Kiss said.
“He obviously carries hard but he’s also showing his skill at first and second receiver.
“His kicking has been impeccable and he’s also leading from the front with his experience.”
The Crusaders have won only two from nine this year, but the sixth-placed Reds won’t take a complacent attitude into the contest.
“Every team would be very wary of what the Crusaders can offer,” Kiss said.
“We are going to one of the great places in the world to play rugby and we will take on the challenge.”
Reds: Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell. Bench: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa’agase, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, John Bryant, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Suliasi Vunivalu.
Crusaders: George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Johnny McNicholl, Leigh Halfpenny. Bench: George Bell, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Chay Fihaki