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How James O'Connor went from Australian rugby's bad boy to captaining the Reds to a record-breaking win

By AAP
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Brad Thorn reckons James O’Connor’s redemption story is nearing completion after the reformed rugby bad boy led the Queensland Reds to a record defeat of the NSW Waratahs in his first game as captain.

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Chosen to replace injured skipper Liam Wright, the five-eighth was dominant in a 41-7 win to open the Super Rugby AU season at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.

He was perfect off the boot with five conversions and two penalties, while he set up expansive play with short and long passing and drilled the 50-22 kick that led to another try that iced the contest.

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Dan McKellar and Allan Alaalatoa after win over Western Force | Super Rugby AU

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Dan McKellar and Allan Alaalatoa after win over Western Force | Super Rugby AU

O’Connor became the youngest-ever Super Rugby debutant at age 17 and the second-youngest Wallaby in Australian rugby history at age 18, but twice he left for European stints as off-field drug and alcohol-related trouble followed him.

Now 30, the Gold Coast product returned to the national and state set-up last season determined to make the most of his third chance.

Renowned disciplinarian Thorn, who is in his fourth year in charge, has seen enough on and off the field to declare O’Connor has flipped his own narrative.

“James’ story, to captain his state, is really cool and I know it means a lot to him and I’m really proud of him,” Thorn said.

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“I’m not sure if James remembers, but when he first came in we had that chat around the narrative around him.

“We all love a redemption story and he’s done that and most importantly he’s done it through his actions.

“I’m very proud for him, his family and it’s a really cool thing to captain his state, it’s a good story to have.”

Ominously, the Reds were also missing suspended Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, injured Australian hooker Brandon Paenga-Amoso and high-profile NRL recruit Suliasi Vunivalu, who was stood down for one game after an altercation with a security guard at a Brisbane pub.

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Facing pressure from emerging Waratahs No.10 Will Harrison and Brumbies equivalent Noah Lolesio this season, O’Connor hinted there was room for improvement despite their slick start.

“It was a good start to the year but wasn’t at clinical as we can be,” he said.

“It could have blown out and got a lot sloppier than it did … but we did exactly what we said we would.”

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Trevor 32 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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