Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

James O'Connor set for first Reds appearance in five years

By Online Editors
James O'Connor spent three seasons with Toulon from 2014 to 2017. (Photo by Getty Images)

James O’Connor is set to make his long-awaited return for the Queensland Reds in Friday’s Super Rugby trial match against Melbourne Rebels in Gladstone.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Wallabies utility last played for the Reds five years ago, released from his contract that came in between stints in France and England respectively.

But O’Connor returned to Australian rugby with a point to prove, earning a World Cup spot last year and he is now keen to help end the Reds’ seven-year finals drought.

O’Connor is part of coach Brad Thorn’s 28-man squad to face the Rebels in one of just two pre-season hit-outs.

World Cup duo Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Taniela Tupou have also been named, along with new skipper Liam Wright, who made his Test debut last year.

Continue reading below…

Video Spacer

However fellow Wallabies Izack Rodda and Jordan Petaia have been rested, along with off-season recruit Henry Speight, who has a fight on his hands to earn a starting spot on the wing this season despite boasting 19 Test caps.

A logjam of backrowers will also compete for minutes before their first-round clash with the Brumbies on January 21.

ADVERTISEMENT

They include Junior Wallabies talent and last season’s National Rugby Championship rising star Harry Wilson, 20 and Fraser McReight.

View this post on Instagram

(6/13) The best test sides of the 2010's – 2015 Wallabies. This was a great Australian side stacked with legends such as Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper as well as guys at their peak in David Pocock, Will Genia and Kurtley Beale. They won the shortened Rugby Championship but failed to win back the Bledisloe in two matches shared 1-1. In the pool of death at the World Cup they beat England and Wales, making a run to the final only to be beaten again by the all-time great All Blacks side. Still went 10-2 and the only losses came against New Zealand. One of the best test sides of the decade, and surely best Australian one of the 2010's. #wallabies #aussierugby #australiarugby #rugbyaustralia #worldrugby #rwc #rugby #rugbygram

A post shared by RugbyPass (@rugbypass) on

McReight had off-season hip surgery and wasn’t named to play in Gladstone.

But the emerging pair are likely to push Salakaia-Loto, Wright and Angus Scott-Young for backrow minutes this season since the departure of former captain Scott Higginbotham.

Wilson said he wouldn’t shy away from his next challenge after dominating the second-tier competition last season.

“I’ll take the confidence from there, backing myself and hopefully it transfers into Super Rugby – but I guess I’ll find out tomorrow,” Wilson said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“(The backrow depth) makes training very difficult, very competitive in a good way.

“But it matters what you do in a game so all of us tomorrow will be ripping in, playing together but playing as hard as you can.”

Reds squad: Dane Zander, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Alex Mafi, Sean Farrell, Efi Ma’afu, Taniela Tupou, Dave Feao, Josh Nasser, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright, Harry Wilson, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott, Moses Sorovi, Isaac Lucas, James O’Connor, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell, Ilaisa Droasese, Bryce Hegarty, Lawson Creighton.

– AAP

Brad Thorn has appointed young flanker Liam Wright as captain for the season ahead:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 2 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
FEATURE
FEATURE Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah
Search