While a staunch defender of the Reds’ culture, Queensland captain James Horwill said player feedback should not determine whether wayward Wallaby James O’Connor joined the Super Rugby club.
The Western Force baulked at O’Connor returning on a 2015 deal after the cooling of a vigorous process including extensive talks with players late last year and again recently.
Horwill said Queensland prided themselves on their team first culture but did not believe a player opinion poll should be a major factor when deciding whether to sign 44-Test back O’Connor, who had a history of being a disruptive influence.
“I have had discussions with the organisation but, in the end, it is up to the guys in charge,” he said.
“You do consult senior players but I think you can get in trouble consulting 35 players.
“If you do that for every player, you are never going to sign anyone.”
Queensland emerged as the sole Australian franchise interested in O’Connor, who burnt the Force and Melbourne Rebels due to a history of misdemeanours and his attitude.
O’Connor claimed he had changed after an English Premiership season with London Irish and wanted to link with an Australian team in a bid to play at next year’s World Cup after a lucrative French stint with Toulouse.
The prospect of luring a more-mature O’Connor would be enticing for a Queensland side on a five-game losing streak due to a lack of strike power.
“I am not sure where things are with James but I do know the organisation and the coaches would only make decisions in the best interest of the team,” Horwill said.
“That’s what they pride themselves on.
“Any decision made on any player will be based on what is in the best interests of the entire playing group and for the standard this organisation upholds.
“I have full faith in the board, the organisation and coaching staff to do that.”
But Horwill said they could only look within to solve their current woes ahead of Saturday night’s Suncorp Stadium clash with the Rebels.
He said the Reds were desperate to end their losing run and extend a proud record of being the only Australian franchise the Rebels have not beaten.
“The guys are obviously hurting. Adding to that is that we know we are not playing as well as we can … but you have to keep going,” he said.
Squirrel
Guest
He would fit in well with the metrosexual reds. Soft as but they do have great grooming and hair doos and can throw the ball aimlessly around in an environment where the senior players take no responsibility but bucket it all on the coach.
bennalong
Guest
There's something wrong at the Reds and I suspect it's Graham. Perhaps Quade doesn't control the back line as he did for Link! O'Connor seems to have learned something at London Irish director Brian Smith praising his behaviour and commitment during his season at the club. I hope he plays well for Queensland. Australia needs a strong Reds and O'Connor has a lot to offer.
Mike Caxton
Roar Rookie
You're assuming Graham will be about to mismanage them
kombiutedriver
Guest
Great post.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I think he'll go well at the Reds. At Melbourne, JOC and Beale were the go to players sadly the go to was going out to the night spots. Beale has improved out of sight since his return to the Tahs. Maybe a change with strong team management will work for JOC.
Drew
Guest
Beale & JOC were bad enough at the Rebels each trying to win the game by themselves, imagine Quade & JOC......
Combesy
Roar Guru
Did anyone else see the turkey dick graham saying JOC would only be suited on the wing??
jutsie
Guest
if one player can single handedly destroy a team culture its not a great culture to begin with. that was the problem with the rebels, theyre culture was non existent before, during and after beale and JOC were on the roster.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Sounds to me like the Reds players want him.
Rollaway7
Guest
Im I the only one salivating at the chance to see Cooper and JOC play together? All bs aside the bloke always give everything on the field, has tons of talent, experience and as a bonus is still a toddler in Rugby terms.
Tricky Dick
Roar Rookie
+1. Even with Gill, the 6 and 8 shirts are needing new occupants. Beau deserves a valor medal for his efforts, but bless him, he tackles and carries like a little brother: full of ambition, heart, and determination, but gets knocked over every time. Schatz, just damn. I'm new around here, but last year I saw some people put him in their wallabies wide training squad, but he's a zero in terms of impact.
Combesy
Roar Guru
mate i'll be bald by seasons end at this rate
Tricky Dick
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately that would leave him quite safe with the Reds. /ducks
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Apart from that they are looking good Combesy :)
Combesy
Roar Guru
we are kicking aimlessly, lack any structure in defence, lack any purpose for phase play in attack and we continue to pick players out of form and out of position. I think that sums up the season so far...
Pete
Guest
My observations of the reds forwards isnt that they are soft but they are unfit. The reds have the best scrum in australia and their lineout is strong! Seems to me like they spend too much time practising set pieces and not enough time on fitness. Being effective at the ruck starts by actually being there! Too many times have the players been isolated with the forwards either still lying in the previous ruck or miles behind the play. Beau Robinson is the exception and browning shows promise. Mike harris is no good unfortunately and if he isnt out there to kick then why is he. If I was graham I would start lucas and bring on mike after 60 to make that clutch kick (like he did against wales) give taps the ball as much as you can and he will come back into form and into the wallabies. With a winning culture the cynical penalties will dissappear hopefully with Graham as well...
bazza
Guest
“Beau has worked incredibly hard to get to this point,” Graham said. ( 50TN CAP) “No one could ever question his commitment to Queensland and the Reds jersey. He’s a very passionate player and has always given everything for the team. This will mean a significant amount to him.” Graham said the team was looking forward to a spirited clash with Rebels on Saturday. “I thought the team played some very good rugby in the first half last weekend against the Crusaders. We continue to work hard and there is an incredibly strong desire to correct our path and get back to winning games,” Graham said. “We know what to expect when it comes to the Rebels. I know Tony (McGahan) well and it’s obvious to anyone who has watched Super Rugby this year that he has turned the Rebels into a very physical and strong defensive side. The Reds and Rebels have met six times in Super Rugby, with the Reds winning all six. They are the only Australian Super Rugby team to remain undefeated against the Rebels since they joined the competition in 2011. The Reds’ most recent match against the Rebels was a 33-20 victory at Suncorp Stadium last year. “The squad are aware of this and clearly part of the motivation will be to maintain this record,” Graham said. “We had more than 34,000 fans at our match last weekend, which was the largest crowd of any Super Rugby match this season, our fans have stuck by us and we intend to repay them for their support with a strong performance this weekend Dicky Grahams real comments? So nice and obvious to everyone. They could have interviewed me and got those same comments. Mate What a bozo this bloke is - The Reds are really up against it - I am in great distress since I found out about those statistics on Teams coached by Dick Graham. How do you get a head coach gig when you finish outside the top 12 for 3 years in a row (at least) with such a bad differential - and take the reds to the brink of embarrassment (oh yeah become the assistant coach and get the head coach to coach the national team ). Well done Reds administration found a real top tier coach. Can anyone tell me how the Reds game plan has changed under Dicks regime ( I am totally serious) - I've got nothing other than we are getting penalised more and we are getting beaten more. I demand better for our patronage. Half the team should not be there (doubtful if they would be targeted by the other franchises) – from my list – Daley & Owen could possibly get a run (apparently props are hard to come by certainly in QLD ). underachevers/club players still in this weeks team …..SCHATZ, BEN DALEY, JONO OWEN, TAPS, FRISBY & LUCAS ?? OMG…REBELS BY 15 Let`s see if they can win for Beaus milestone game.. THEY lost for HORWILLS & QUADES 100TH Can they can do it for BEAU.. Watch Beau give his all again with his passenger forward pack…
Harry
Guest
Reds scrum is crap (err unreliable) with Slipper out, and Daley and Holmes starting. Reds need a new tighthead, some more locks and at least one big boppa in the back row.
Hertryk
Guest
Just maybe in this instance..it will be the PLAYER getting the best out of the COACH... LOL!! He'll just be another prima donna in the team.. So pleased he's not wanted at the Force..
Hertryk
Guest
Very good point..