The decision could also come down where Rugby Australia sees their best investment, given no five-eighth has held a mortgage on the Wallabies’ role since Bernard Foley.
While it may be premature to declare the duo as imminent international prospects, there has been a cycle of five-eighths already trialled but not cemented.
Lolesio, Donaldson and Gordon have all been given opportunities since the former’s October 2020 debut, while Quade Cooper, James O’Connor and Foley also earned a recall, and utility Reece Hodge was given a shot.
“They’re contracted to us at the moment, and they’re loving it, [so] we’ll approach that when it comes,” Kiss said, when asked if it was feasible to keep the Reds pair for the long haul.
Tom Lynagh has proven unflappable under pressure and comes equipped with a booming boot.Credit: Getty
“There’s always list management, you’re always looking at those things from now, the rest of this year and into tomorrow.
“Those things have been looked after between [Reds general manager] Sam Cordingley and myself in making sure we’re keeping an eye on those things.
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“I think both of them have delivered. I think it was a really good opportunity for [McLaughlin-Phillips] to start a game ... those experiences will just keep scaffolding, [but] I thought Tommy had done enough in those first games to get a call-up again.
“But I know Harry will have a really comfortable way of approaching his next start – he didn’t carry any nerves last week.”
The Reds will head to Perth on a high after back-to-back wins against the Rebels on the road and a heavily favoured Chiefs.
They will play without star outside back Jordan Petaia, who has been sidelined to undergo concussion protocols.
The fullback missed the win over the Chiefs after copping a monster high shot from Jordie Barrett in the extra-time loss to the Hurricanes. While he came off the bench last week, he has been kept out of action as a precaution.
“We’re just making sure we’ve got that right,” Kiss said. “He’s still carrying a little bit of symptoms in terms of the testing that you do, so we just said let’s leave it there.
“I think everyone we’ve asked to be able to fill a spot in the team has really done well, so we don’t want to just use him inappropriately, we want to make sure he’s fully right.”









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