Michael Lynagh
Michael Patrick Thomas Lynagh, (born 25 October 1963) is an Australian former rugby union player who played mainly as a fly-half. Lynagh represented Australia from 1984 to 1995, playing at both inside centre and fly half. Lynagh was capped 72 times for Australia, and was captain from 1993 to 1995. He was the world points scoring record holder when he retired, with 911 points. Lynagh was a member of the 1984 Grand Slam-winning team and was vice-captain when Australia won the 1991 World Cup. Until Marty Roebuck took over the kicking duties, he scored in every test he played in, including a try against Wales in 1984 when he was temporarily relieved of kicking responsibilities. He retired from international rugby after Australia's loss to England in the quarter-final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Early years Lynagh attended St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace in Brisbane and played fly-half in the school's first XV from Year 10 to Year 12 (1979–1981). Terrace won the GPS premiership five years straight from 1977 to 1981 with Lynagh playing in the final 3 years and was captain in his last year. Lynagh also played First XI Cricket from Year 9 to Year 12 and was captain in his final year. During his studies at Queensland University, Lynagh worked as a boarding master at Nudgee College Brisbane together with another union player Michael O'Connor who at that time made the decision to opt for the League game. Personal life Lynagh's son Louis is also a professional rugby player, having signed with Harlequins in 2019 and made his premiership debut in October 2020. In November 2020, Lynagh's youngest son Tom signed with his home club Queensland from 2021 to 2023. Career After school he played first grade for University of Queensland and represented Queensland from 1982 to 1995. Lynagh was a member of Queensland's Super 6 and Super 10-winning sides. On 9 June 1984, at the age of 20, Lynagh made his debut for Australia against Fiji in Suva. Early in his career he played at inside centre as Mark Ella was the fly-half; when Ella retired after the 1984 Grand Slam, Lynagh took over as fly-half. In 1991, he joined Italian club Benetton Treviso. He played for five years with the club and won the Italian championship at 1991–92 season. In 1996, Lynagh joined Saracens of England at the advent of professionalism, after retiring from a glittering 12-year international career with Australia as the world record points scorer with 911 and a World Cup winner (1991). Lynagh's arrival at the club was the first major signing after Nigel Wray took control of the club and he acted as a beacon to attract other players and fans alike. Lynagh helped Saracens to have their most successful season to date. In the 1997/98 season Saracens battled it out with Newcastle Falcons for almost the whole season for top spot in the league and when the two sides met in front of a crowd of nearly 20,000 Lynagh