The Reds’ 64-5 flogging of the Sunwolves at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night provided some assurance to Reds fans that the promise the Reds showed during the three courageous losses at the beginning of the season can translate into spectacular wins.
The forwards were aggressive and disciplined, overwhelming the Japanese pack, while the back line was a symphony of direct runs, support play and offloads that resulted in a ten-try haul.
Conducting the orchestra was James O’Connor, who displayed his outrageous footballing talent in the ten jersey just like he had played there his entire career, instead of being shifted around the back line by various coaches to make the most of his legendary utility.
It is quite apparent that O’Connor is currently the best rugby player in Australia and the only player who should be assured of a Wallabies starting jersey.
(Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP via Getty Images)
However, one thing that was missing from O’Connor’s repertoire that could be make-or-break in tight games is his previously excellent goal-kicking. Brad Thorn started the season with Bryce Hegarty taking the goal-kicking duties from fullback, with Hegarty kicking at 100 per cent before being replaced by Jock Campbell with his more dangerous running game. This is a compromise, however, as Campbell has kicked at 64 per cent so far this season, a long way off the accuracy expected of a top-class goal-kicker.
But in O’Connor the Reds have a proven world-class goal-kicker, if one out of practice. By resuming goal-kicking duties and working to get his accuracy back up to his previous standard, O’Connor would solve a big problem for the Reds and the Wallabies, where compromises are currently required when choosing the best goal-kicker and the best player in a given position.
O’Connor famously sealed Australia’s victory in the final Bledisloe Test in 2010 with a conversion in extra time, Greg Martin describing him as having “ice in his veins”.
Brad Thorn was on the field for the All Blacks that day too. He undoubtedly would have found O’Connor memorable for the wrong reasons. O’Connor did the same in the 2011 World Cup quarter-final against the Springboks with a penalty kick in the 72nd minute.
The O’Connor and Martin bromance may have been on the rocks for the five years that O’Connor was being a very naughty boy, but from their half-time interview on Saturday, they were getting along like old mates.
Wouldn’t James O’Connor’s rugby story of talent, misadventure and redemption be made that much more poetic if he was to kick winning goals coached by the All Blacks great who he once defeated, while it was memorably narrated by an old Wallaby with whom he has reconciled?
So get your goal-kicking boots on, James, and get practising. The fans have waited five years to get you back to Australia and we are looking forward to you doing more of what you did a decade ago, but better.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The Reds have a first class kicker in their squad in Jack Hardy who was the very successful designated kicker for his Premier Grade team UWA.
Rashen
Guest
Back in 2011 W.C I was in Sri Lanka , when he scored the wining penalty kick .. Such a talent gone wasted.. Wallabies have struggle in their kicking game since Bernard lost his form ... If he is to name as No 10, he should get into the kicking game.. enough time for that before he puts the wallabies Jersey .. Do your fans a favour mate .. Lot of people had faith on you.. Without a doubt
Tooly
Roar Rookie
What did I tell you. He was poor yesterday.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Best player in Australia? Bit questionable Rhys, especially as he doesn't appear to own a pair of kicking boots!
Gloria
Roar Rookie
The Reds ‘ three courageous losses’. Ha, ha, what was ‘courages’ about them Rhys? Absolutely nothing. They were poor losses in winnable games. Reds are 1 from 4, stats that match their results over the previous two years with master coach Brad at the helm.
Patto
Guest
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Bobbles
Guest
Consistency of JOC ? Doing Drugs numerous times and being at Hungry Jacks at 3 am with Beale 3 days before test match. ? He was punted by the Force Rebels Wallabies and Reds.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
JoC is a fantastic utility player and should be the first man picked for the wallabies bench. Players like him being selected to start are exactly what was wrong with Chiekas selections. Is he the best 10? No, Lolesio is the best option there. Harrison and (IMO) Hegarty and Lucas are all better choices than JoC. Is he the best 12? No, Simone has him in that jumper. But he would be second best right now. Maybe 13? No, TK, Pasimi both better. Is he the best winger? No, Korobete, Wright, Nawaqinatawase and a few others are better. Fullback? Banks, Campbell definitely better. Can any of those other named players slot into any hole in the backline? No, that’s where JoC comes in. Wallabies need to select the best player in the position. A specialist. And put the utility guys on the bench. Only 1 player out of JoC, Beale, Hodge, DHP and Toomua should be in the squad. On form right now that’s JoC and they should only be there as a bench utility.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think it’s a slight exaggeration to say he was often the best player in every backline position. As Peter says though, it depends on the metric used to define talent. He’s obviously an extremely talented player.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Very good point It all comes down to what people define or rate as talent
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Aside from when he was affected by off field issues, O”Connor has been able to meet every requirement in every back line position bar 9 (he could probably play there too), at a professional level since he was 17 years old. Often he had been the best player available in most or all positions. I can think of no other player who has ever been able to do that, perhaps Karmichael Hunt might have had he started in rugby, but we will never know. He is a universal rugby player, as rare a breed as they come.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
JOC has always been a good performer (especially at test level where it really counts) but he's really a level below on talent. Quade was a Super Rugby player of the year. Beale was a WR POTY nominee. That's an indication of talent. JOC probably had a greater level of consistency and was a more physical player, but never had the peaks because he wasn't the same level of talent. Quade and Beale have probably had greater lows (especially Beale) but also greater highs.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
More talented than Larkham, Horan and Quade (whatever else you can say about QC, he displayed a level of skill in 2011 that no other super rugby player has shown, I think)? You could be right. It’s possible. He’s an immense talent.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Living memory would be 100 years would it not? He would rank very high in that period for being naturally talented though.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Hyperbole might have been to say what I really think, that he is the most naturally talented Australian player in living memory.
Tony H
Roar Pro
Agree Connor. I've disliked the bloke for his off-field nonsense for years, but jeez he's put a smile on my face the last couple of weeks. Just sublime rugby.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Ken, the seems a heap of young lads with potential. JOC is going pretty well too. As the season progresses, it'll be interesting who Rennie picks.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Maybe ScoJo ordered some extra tens when he was last at the factory?
Kick n Clap
Guest
Wow Rhys, “You must be easily pleased”? Well you’ll really “wet yourself “when the big boys start in March then? I personally think in he would not get into any NRL side. Best position for him is to run on with half-time lemons!!
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
It’s more that no one else has run up such a score against them this season. It was as also a record for the reds. Other than that you can’t look into it too much