by James Dodd
NOW working in London as a Managing Director at Dow Jones Corporate, Lynagh spoke to final year sports journalism student James Dodd about his time playing rugby around the globe.
During his playing days, the Australian fly-half was known for being one of the best players on the planet. He managed to score an impressive 911 points by the time he called it a day, a stat which still sees him in the top ten of all time points scorers. He was part of the 1991 Australian World Cup success and 1984 Grand Slam, both taking place in the Northern Hemisphere.
Picking up a rugby ball for the first time
Growing up as a young boy, it wasn’t rugby that caught Lynagh’s eye. Instead, it was cricket that the 72 capped international loved to play and watch, which was helped by the fact that it was one of very little summer sports in Australia.
However, moving to Brisbane in 1974 was the catalyst to playing rugby union for the first time. Lynagh explained how the winter sport played at his new school was mainly rugby. As a result, at the age of 10, Lynagh had picked up a rugby ball for the very first time.
“The rules were a little bit complicated for me, but I enjoyed it,” joked the 57-year-old.
It was good fun speaking to Australian rugby legend @LynaghMichael this morning.
See you in France 2023 Michael! pic.twitter.com/EY9av9lUb5
— James Dodd (@james_dodd1) February 8, 2021
1984 Grand Slam
At the age of 20, Lynagh made his test debut at inside centre against Fiji in June 1984. The first appearance was helped by Michael Hawker – the regular 12 for the Wallabies – being away after getting married.
Young Lynagh was on the flight to tour the Northern Hempisphere later in the year. A side that would go down in rugby history as being the first and still only Australian team to win a Grand Slam against Wales, England, Scotland, and Ireland.
These were not the only matches, with a total of 18 fixtures being played against the likes of Cardiff and the Barbarians. Lynagh took the field on 12 occasions at the inside centre position, something that he wasn’t too familiar with.
“It was a bit of a change for me, but I was just pleased to be part of it. It took a lot of responsibility off me because in those days 10 was a very important tactical and strategic decision maker.
“Playing 12 meant following his lead a little bit, which was great for an inexperienced 20-year-old. It was a great tour. Great bunch of guys – obviously winning helps. We worked really hard, got the results and that obviously helps things.”
1991 World Cup triumph
More success was to follow Lynagh. In 1991, the second Rugby World Cup was hosted by the four Home Nations, as well as France. The final, held at Twickenham saw England and Australia battle it out, with the men from down under coming out as victors.
Lynagh, a much more experienced player than in 1984, believed there were similarities between the 1984 and 1991 squads. He also was extremely happy between the balance of experience and youth.
Going into the final, Lynagh says his side understood they were better than England, especially after beating New Zealand in the semi-finals.
“The pressure going into that game was that we were favourites. We knew that this was an opportunity that would never come again. We needed to seize that, which we did. It was relief as opposed to euphoria.”
Playing club rugby in Italy and England
Following the World Cup, Lynagh decided to take his next step in his rugby career. After playing for University of Queensland for just under 10 years, he believed it was a good time to accept an offer to play abroad. Offers from Japan and France had been presented to him, but it was Italy that captured his attention.
Having been there before for both club and country, Lynagh decided to join Benetton Treviso in 1991. A place he eventually stayed for five years. Lynagh described how much of a special place Italy will always be to him.
“Second year I met my wife – paying the price ever since I guess,” Lynagh said with a chuckle.
“It’s been a big part of my life and still is. Italy and Treviso in particular.”
After rugby turned professional in 1995, Lynagh was offered to play rugby in London for Saracens. At the time, he had just married his Italian wife Isabella, and knew that it would be a nice place to live together.
The two years he played at Saracens would turn out to be his final years playing rugby.
“My last year playing rugby we ended up winning the cup here in front of 80,000 people at Twickenham. That was my last game of rugby and it was a nice way to bow out. I played really well and it was a nice memory to finish on.”