The standout scrum-half leading Wallabies race ‘by a little ways’

Australian rugby broadcaster Sean Maloney has weighed in on a key Wallabies selection debate ahead of the Nations Championship, insisting ACT Brumbies captain Ryan Lonergan is the form scrum-half “by a little ways at the moment.”

Lonergan was involved in Wallabies squads under former coaches Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones, but finally for the chance to debut during last year’s Rugby Championship, coming off the bench in a Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland.

Tate McDermott was injured during the first term at Eden Park, seeing Lonergan come on earlier than expected. The 28-year-old made another five appearances that season, featuring in Autumn Nations Series matches away to England, Italy and Ireland.

Lonergan has built off those experiences with the national team, hitting the ground running during a standout Super Rugby Pacific campaign. The halfback raised the bat earlier this season with his 100^th Brumbies appearance and has generally been a shining light for the side.

The Brumbies have claimed some major scalps this season, but currently sit in fifth with a 6-6 record ahead of round 14. Following last weekend’s much-needed 36-20 win over the Western Force in Canberra, the Brumbies and Lonergan are once again a talking point.

“He’s playing good footy. I just wonder where he sits in that Wallabies setup,” Maloney said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.

“I know Tim Horan puts his Wallabies backline together yesterday on Wide Sport of Sports’ Sports Sunday for the July series and he had Kalani Thomas at nine, Carter Gordon at 10. Tate’s obviously not back so we don’t know when we’re gonna see Tate again.

“I don’t see how, in terms of form, Ryan is not the best by a little ways at the moment. God, he was good the other night. One of his all-time games for the Brumbies as well.”

Lachlan Shaw scored the opener for the Brumbies inside two minutes at GIO Stadium, before the Force hit back later on through Harry Johnson-Holmes. The Force had snapped a 15-year drought in Canberra with a win last season, and were looking to replicate those heroics.

But a try to Ollie Sapsford just before the break saw the hosts take a 14-10 lead into the sheds. Lonergan had thrown a superb cut-out pass to set up the New Zealand-born Australia A flyer, who was brought into the run-on side for the derby.

Lonergan linked up with brother Ryan to score in the 52^nd minute, which was a highlight from the No. 9’s impressive performance. The six-Wallaby stood tall on defence and led the team around the park in attack, boasting effective passing and kicking games.

“I thought he was absolutely outstanding,” former Wallaby Morgan Turinui had explained.

“Once again, I’ve been really impressed with him all year.

“Decision-making, execution; he kicked twice as much as any other Brumbies player and he did it importantly to dominate territory which is going to be the danger against a Force team… he managed that.

“Obviously the long [pass] for the try, scores one off his brother, marshals the troops well, kicks well for goal. I thought it was a consummate performance.”