But Lynagh has become accomplished at tuning out external noise.
Growing up with his father,72-Test Wallabies great Michael Lynagh,was always going to come with some sort of expectation as he rose towards the elite.
Lynagh’s older brother,Harlequins and Italy winger Louis,became another family member for rugby pundits to strike comparisons to.
“From when I was 14 onwards,it was more compared to my brother really,nothing to my dad. It’s never affected me,” Lynagh said.
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“I was able to ignore everything said about that,and I still do now. It doesn’t affect me at all,I’m myself,I don’t need to be compared to anyone.
“I didn’t really know what he accomplished until I was about 12 or 13,but I call him before and after every game,all throughout the week,and he’s been a big rock for me.”
Despite his attempts to distance himself from Wallabies talk,should Lynagh guide Queensland deep into the finals – beginning with a triumph across the ditch – he will no doubt firmly shoot to the forefront of the national conversation.
Even reflecting on the Reds’ last meeting with the Chiefs – a shock round three 25-19 win at Suncorp Stadium – Lynagh has consciously progressed into a more well-rounded threat.
In those early season exchanges,he was often tasked with laying the foundations throughout the first hour of the contest,before rookie No.10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips would join the fray and demonstrate his instinctive running game.
Now,however,Lynagh has proven he is more than a booming boot,having built his running game in a move designed to exploit the weapons in his backline.
His willingness to engage the defensive line,wear brutal hits,and open up space outside him has led to career-best seasons from the likes of Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook,as well as a breakout rookie season for Tim Ryan.
That skill has coincided with Queensland equal third for tries[66] and clean breaks[89],a transformation in their game that has Lynagh confident they can avenge the heartache they suffered this time last year.
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“We were a completely different team and the style of footy too,so we went in last year with a plan and executed it well and came close,” Lynagh said.
“This year we’re a completely different team with multiple ways of winning.
“I feel pretty confident with the rest of my game,and it’s pretty well-rounded … I’m in a good spot.”