The Wallabies are in need of a new flyhalf to face world champions South Africa after Carter Gordon's broken leg.
There is a litany of options to replace the Queensland Reds star, who is also unlikely to be fit for the Bledisloe Cup.
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From experienced Test veterans to emerging stars, the list of contenders to come in alongside Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith is extensive.
Rugby.com.au gives a case for every likely option for the Wallabies.
NOTE: Any options and opinions are purely speculative and are the views of the author alone, not the Wallabies coaching staff.
HE SHOULD BE SELECTED BECAUSE: Lynagh has been one of the most consistent performers at Super Rugby and Test level, stepping up during the British & Irish Lions series after Noah Lolesio's injury.
The playmaker was the first choice before his injuries and under Les Kiss at the Reds. He knows the system well and has a clutch boot that has been one of the best at Super Rugby over the past two months.
BUT: He's played 18 minutes in 2026. Lynagh's luckless injury history has been well documented, whether it was concussions or hamstring setbacks that kept him in and out of the Test squad in 2025.
He returns on Saturday against the Western Force and is expected to play 40 minutes at Ballymore, but his lack of game time works against him.
HE SHOULD BE SELECTED BECAUSE: It feels like McLaughlin-Phillips has been earmarked as the next flyhalf off the rack after covering Carter Gordon during the Nations Championship. He's been in the system and will have the best understanding of the Wallabies' current attack, having spent time in the halves with Tate McDermott and Kalani Thomas.
The new Force signing was excellent throughout the Queensland club competition for Wests and, out of the options, he's probably the most match-fit after dragging them into the Hospital Cup Final.
BUT: He's unproven at the next level, comparatively. HMP has only two appearances for Australia A, both off the bench in 2024 and 2025.
The flyhalf has just eight starts at Super Rugby level after spending time behind Gordon and Lynagh at the Reds. McLaughlin-Phillips has taken his chances when they have come, although he would come into an inexperienced flyhalf group (Ben Donaldson eight starts, Declan Meredith three starts).
HE SHOULD BE SELECTED BECAUSE: O'Connor has already proven he can come into the Test squad and do a job. His selection for last year's British & Irish Lions was a shock, but the experience came to the fore during a historic win over South Africa at Ellis Park, starting as recently as November against Ireland.
The playmaker is officially back in Australian Rugby after signing with the Western Force, whilst he has been keeping fit for Brothers in the Hospital Cup.
BUT: His game time outside of club level has been limited. O'Connor started just eight times for Leicester and five times in 2026.
O'Connor is a quality operator who could overcome any rust, but if the Wallabies are looking to the future, it'll work against the 36-year-old.
HE SHOULD BE SELECTED BECAUSE: Foley's form in the Japanese top division has been remarkable and often overlooked back at home as he returns to the NSW Waratahs
The flyhalf has guided Kubota Spears to the Rugby League One Final in back-to-back years, facing some quality flyhalves, most notably Richie Mo'unga. He has scored over 350 points in his last two seasons and has started 35 games, more than most in Australian Rugby, regardless of position.
BUT: He's been out of the Wallabies system for a long time. Foley last pulled on the gold jersey under coach Dave Rennie, and a lot has changed since, with Rennie now coaching the opposition.
Foley is as sharp as ever, but like O'Connor, could be overlooked if they want a younger option than the 37-year-old.
HE SHOULD BE SELECTED BECAUSE: He was the out-and-out first option for the Wallabies before his neck injury.
Lolesio was a certainty to start against the British & Irish Lions, only for a devastating knock against Fiji to cost him the rest of the Test season. The former Brumby has returned to play in Japan and was blitzing the competition, scoring 153 points in 10 games.
BUT: It was in the second division. Manie Libbok and the Springboks have shown that the perceived gap between the league and Test level is smaller than many in Australia realise, but the losses in the promotion match don't help the narrative.
Lolesio's combinations are still there, especially with Ryan Lonergan; however, the time out of Australia and in a lower league since will work against him.
HE SHOULD BE SELECTED BECAUSE: If you want a flyhalf that knows the structure, Edmed is your guy.
Edmed started five games for the Wallabies in 2025, including the final Test of the year against France. It would be a very seamless transition back to Edmed, who has been lighting up the club competition in Canberra and scored a hat-trick in the Brumbies' most recent trial.
BUT: He fell out of favour significantly in 2026, relegated behind Declan Meredith at Super Rugby. Edmed started just once for the Brumbies, often coming on in the final 20 minutes of games.
The combination with Lonergan and Meredith is there, but Edmed is still finding the form that won him selection in 2024.
HE SHOULD BE SELECTED BECAUSE: When he is on, Burey has proven to be unstoppable.
His last 12 months have been strong, coming off winning Super Rugby AUS MVP and finishing the year with starts in victories over the Reds and Fijian Drua. Starting for the NSW Waratahs on Saturday, he'll get a chance to impress against Edmed in the new system
BUT: He has never been tested at the next level. Burey has been stuck behind Ben Donaldson at club level, and whilst his strong AUS form earned him a spot in the 23, he struggled for game time.
Burey is the most unproven of the options, and is often used as a fullback rather than a flyhalf.
HE SHOULD BE SELECTED BECAUSE: It would be the ultimate comeback story and it's a formula that has worked before.
Cooper was at the helm the last time the Wallabies were on a five-game unbeaten streak in 2022 and has the poise and class to be a difference-maker still at Test level, surprisingly missing selection at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
BUT: Most thought he'd already retired, before he came out in the media during the Japan series and made his case for a comeback.
Cooper left Kintetsu Liners in 2025 and hasn't played a game since. Playing someone who hasn't played competitively would be a major call, especially at 38.
