An emotional Tom Lynagh has held back tears as he thanked his dad and Wallabies great Michael for flying from England to watch his Super Rugby Pacific debut.

The 19-year-old was impressive at No.10 for the Reds in Townsville on Saturday despite their 47-13 loss to the Hurricanes.

Lynagh kicked two early penalties and set up the Reds' lone try with a cross-field bomb to establish an early lead, before the Auckland side skipped away.

"I'll try not to cry," he said in front of his teammates post-game.

"Pretty disappointed (by the result) so it's a very bittersweet moment.

"It's been a pretty good 18 months and I've loved every second of being around you boys.

"And thanks to my family and friends back home. It was pretty special having you here tonight Dad, it means the world to me."

The Italy-born teenager had never started for his University of Queensland first grade side since moving to Ballymore from England before last season.

But, with his dad, a World Cup winner and former Reds skipper watching on, he fronted up physically in defence to impress his coach and captain.

"I'm disappointed for Tom ... 80 minutes, a 19-year-old kicking goals and he ran back there and dived on a loose ball and was back on his feet waiting for support," coach Brad Thorn said.

"Actually, fantastic."

Halfback and skipper Tate McDermott described his debut as a "ripper".

"He was really impressive. That's all we asked him to do, be loud and he was loud in spades and kicked really well.

"For someone that young being that courageous in this environment, my hat goes off to him and we've just got to do better as a side to support him."

Unforced turnovers in prime field position and back-to-back yellow cards crippled the Reds, who next face the improved Western Force at Melbourne Super Round on Sunday.