Les Kiss wants his team to be clinical and courageous and, with that in mind, is tossing up his options at No.10 for the Queensland Reds.
The new coach has at least four capable five-eighths in his Super Rugby Pacific squad.
Australia veteran James O’Connor is 33 and recovering from a knee injury suffered while playing for the Barbarians in Europe during September’s World Cup.
O’Connor has worked closely with the maturing Tom Lynagh and Lawson Creighton, who have jostled for time in the jersey for the last two years.
Then there’s Junior Wallabies talent Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, who donned the No.10 as a 19-year-old in the Reds’ only game under Kiss – a pre-season clash with Japan’s Panasonic Wild Knights.
“It’s a good question,” Kiss said when asked who would suit up at five-eighth next year.
“We’ve got options, and speaking to all of them they’ve got a particular strength that can come to the fore.
“The style of game, where they have the courage and confidence to back the pictures they see and play footy, will be part of that deal.
Tom Lynagh. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
“I’m confident I can lean on the experience of a James right down to the youth of a Harry.
“In between you’ve got Tom Lynagh and Lawson.
“It’s a really good situation to be in. So, who starts? We’ll find out.”
Kiss has replaced Brad Thorn at Ballymore, both men able to boast of State of Origin experience for Queensland’s rugby league team.
Thorn went straight into the Reds job after an unrivalled dual-code career, while former winger Kiss’s first rugby appointment came as an assistant coach with the Springboks in 2001.
“We’re slowly and surely getting to know each other,” Kiss said.
“I see young men who are really hungry to find out how good they can be.
“I want to make sure they’re as well armed as possible to go out there and have the courage to back themselves.”
James O’Connor. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Reds won Super Rugby AU in 2021 and broke a 10-year drought in New Zealand by beating the Chiefs last season, before losing 29-20 to the ladder-leaders in the quarter-finals.
“The foundation Brad and the boys put in place is there … the will to win, drive hard and empty the tank,” Kiss said.
He has recruited in the front row to bolster a squad heavy with back-row and backline talent.
“I’d just like them to pull the trigger, have the confidence to play and knock off their opportunities better and game management overall,” he said.
“You’ve got to be able to skin the cat in many different ways … and still stay true to what we want to do.”
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
We’ve just named 2.5 good backline. Reds have the cattle!
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I highly rate Harry McLoughlin-phillips. Not sure how long he will take to step up at SRP. Creighton has had lots of opportunities and been very mediocre at SRP level. Interestingly enough he did well late last season for Brothers at 10 and 15. I'd probably go with JOC as first choice 10 purely to fit him in with Paisami at 12 and Flook 13. But I'd also be ok with JOC 12 and either Lynaugh or HMP 10 but Flook must be 13. He's extremely underrated. And would have to be up there with Walsh from the Broncos as the most dreamy footy player in Aus ???? Jock Campbell should be 15 and Petaia should only be moved from wing if we have no other options left for 15 or 13 except for forwards.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Fast Eddie just went for size all the time. No finesse. A team needs to have balance. How much IQ can you pack onto a rugby field. Most of the successful players are usually very intelligent, one way or another.
Jez North
Roar Rookie
I hope you’re right KF. Lynagh is a courageous tackler but he was bumped off a few times by the big men early in the season. He seems to have the right skills and temperament. Even his goal kicking technique looks solid (unlike Carter Gordon).
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Is Fraser captain material? Comes across confident.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Forgot about Henry. Did Henry play at all this year? There’s Annan and Paisami in there too.
Markus
Roar Rookie
I would have Isaac Henry on the bench over Creighton, covering 12 primarily but also 13 and apparently with experience at 10 too. I still haven't seen anything from Lawson that suggests he is up to it, whereas Henry has looked great at times when not injured.
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
Flook exhibits rugby smarts and decision making that we have never seen in Petaia at this point. Petaia is an incredible athlete but he hasn’t reached his potential.
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
Flook is too good to be left on the bench in my view. His skill, vision, speed, rugby smarts and overall ability to sniff out a try is valuable. If he isn’t in the centres where he should be, at least have him on the wing.
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
I have confidence in Lynagh at 10 despite his size. I don’t think his size is a problem and he’ll grow into his body in a few years anyway. His skill and vision is good. Out of Creighton, O’Conner id bet on Lynagh at this point. McLaughlin has sometime to grow just yet. A few games off the bench here n there this season will help him gain experience at super rugby level. That’s my view anyway.
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
I can’t see that happening as Josh Nasser may be back to fit, healthy and in form next year. I rate him over faessler
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
9. McDermott 10. Lynagh 12. JOC 13. Petaia 15. Campbell Add in Paisami 2nd half to batter opponents from 12 + Flook, Grealy, Henry I don't know about wingers... Vunivalu? Aubrey? Perhaps Petaia on the wing, Paisami to 13? One of the better backlines in the comp.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
There is something very wrong if Qld dont make the finals Jimbo.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
I saw Lynagh mix it in the trial Qld v Tahs In Narrabri- didn’t seem phased at all. Played well , as did Jorgensen.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Tom Lynagh is about the same size as Richie Mo' unga so size shouldn't really be the issue. He'll build some muscle yet. it's more he's so young at 20, and he'll need a couple of years' experience. The last thing he will need is to be rushed. There's a number of good 10's coming through in both Australia and New Zealand and it will be interesting watching them develop. If both JOC and Quade can mentor some of these young 10s in Aus that will be a big plus.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
I’d have to agree. Lynagh has glimpses of good game management and kicking for a young bloke. That’s why I’d be looking at Jock. JOC plays better at 12.
Stu
Roar Rookie
Gee.. none of those 4 tens inspire in any way. JOC has never worked at 10, young Lynagh is just so diminutive in size, so how does he get battered for a season and still stay on the front foot? Meanwhile Creighton hasn’t set the world on fire at 10, far from it, and the young u20’s lad surely needs a few years before he’ll make any mark at super level? Good luck Les - at least with Liam Wright as captain and firing again, all is well.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Am looking forward to the Reds season. Kiss seems to be fitting in well at Ballymore. Hopefully Kiss annoints Freaser with the capraincy
Noodles
Roar Rookie
Those players will work it out as long as the youngsters are developed and not cannon fodder. I hope Kiss can help Petaia. He has enormous capabilities and talent but seems to have not been coached. I will be watching him to see how Kiss goes. I'd also love to see the pack develop a bit of tenacity, but which I mean discipline and consistent drive on both sides of the ball. They have the players but a few seem to lose focus.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
Reds are financially solid; have recruited a very good coach, have shored up the front row and are spoilt for choice at 10. Is this going to be a special season or will it take three years for these guys to gel? Is this the 2009 before the 2011? Are we a mid table finish or finals?