Australia legends sons picks Wallabies over England

Wednesday, 01 September 2021 at 09:16

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byRugby Rucker

Tom Lynagh, who was born in Italy and grew up in England, shocked his former World Cup-winning Wallabies father Michael when he said he wanted to play for the Queensland Reds.

While his older brother Louis looks on course to play for England after starring for Harlequins last season, the 17-year-old instead is dreaming of pulling on the gold jersey.

“I have always dreamt of playing for Australia,” he said after emerging from two weeks of quarantine.

“I might not get the opportunity but it’s just about the dream and the Queensland Reds seem like a good place to help me reach that.

“I like the brand of rugby that’s played down here, felt it was my style of play.”

Despite Tom now following in his footsteps he said his 100 Reds caps and 72 Test were not regular topics at the dinner table.

“I get stick from the boys when I start talking, but it’s all been pretty low key, we don’t have memorabilia around the house,” Michael said.

“Going through school people know the name and they’ve dealt with it very well.

“We’re pleased Tom’s made this huge decision, a big, bold decision and hopefully he’ll find his way and make his own stories.”

EDITORS PICKS:

Here’s a list of rugby legends sons who are set to play in the Six Nations, including a young Lomu.

1. Lucas Brooke (England)

Age: 19
Club: London Irish
Position: back-row
Dad: Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand)

Brooke, who can play across the back-row or at hooker, grew up in England so is fully qualified to wear the red rose. The powerhouse has represented Berkshire at county level and regularly played for his school, Wellington College.

London Irish

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🌹 | Luke Green and Lucas Brooke have been named in the @EnglandRugby U20 starting XV to face France on Saturday, with @PhilipCokanasi2 in the replacements! Good luck lads 👊 Read more 👉 bit.ly/2U6T5uy

10:01 AM · Jun 18, 2021

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2. Louis Lynagh (England/Italy)

Age: 20
Club: Harlequins
Position: Fullback
Dad: Michael Lynagh (Australia)

The son of Wallabies legend Michael Lynagh, the fullback made his Premiership debut during the final round of the 2019/20 Gallagher season against Leicester Tigers. He is yet to declare his allegiance, but has represented England at age-grade, captaining England U16. and playing for the U18’s.

3. Manu Vunipola (England)

Age: 21
Club: Saracens
Position: Fly-half
Dad: Elisi Vunipola (Tonga)

Vunipola comes from vintage rugby stock and is already well on his way to following in the footsteps of cousins Billy and Mako as part of the England U20s set-up. His dad, Elisi Vunipola, played in Super Rugby for the Brumbies, as well as appearing 41 times for Tonga – including at the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cups – and was his country’s most-capped player upon retirement in 2005.

4. Jacob Umaga (England)

Age: 22
Club: Wasps
Position: Fly-half
Dad: Mike Umaga (Samoa)

The surname Umaga carries a lot of weight in rugby. Mike Umaga won 13 caps for Samoa, while Tana is one of the All Blacks’ most respected captains. And it appears the name could live on with Jacob, son of Mike and nephew of Tana, who is seen as one for the future for England after being called up for the Autumn Nations Cup.

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#5. Dhyreille Lomu (France)

Age: 13
Position: Wing
Dad: Jonah Lomu

Lomu, who currently plays on the wing, was born in France during his Dad’s brief stint playing for Marseille, hence any eligibility discussions wouldn’t be an issue. Known as Frenchie at school in New Zealand, the aspiring youngster has already began to impress at a number of age-grade tournaments in New Zealand.