Queensland Reds veteran James O’Connor has noticed a blossoming leader in rookie five-eighth Tom Lynagh, leaving him to question whether he can force his way back into the side.
The former Wallabies star has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained on the eve of the club’s first trial, and he’s expected to announce his comeback no earlier than round four of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
James O’Connor – pictured in a clash for the Reds against the Force – was seen running and completing drills on Tuesday at Ballymore.Credit: Getty
In his absence, rising prospects Lynagh and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips have been bestowed with the No.10 duties, with the former’s booming boot helping to keep livewire New South Wales Waratahs fullback Max Jorgensen at bay in Queensland’s 40-22 triumph.
McLaughlin-Phillips also proved unflappable in his Super Rugby debut, his first touch – a sideline conversion – backing up an impressive preseason.
Lynagh managed just 20 minutes of play in the trials as he overcame a back complaint, but he showed poise against an aggressive Waratahs pack, running the ball when he sensed his chance, while having the foresight to link up with Jordan Petaia.
The 20-year-old’s vision to find Petaia in open space led to the electric fullback’s penalty try that shifted the momentum of the contest.
Now O’Connor, 33, faces an uncertain role in the side – off contract at season’s end, but ecstatic at the manner in which Lynagh has taken on the burden of responsibility.
“I’ve seen huge growth in him, and I think probably the biggest one is just he’s himself so much more. You can just feel the confidence coming from him now, he’s speaking his voice, he’s telling me what he sees,” O’Connor told this masthead.
“We’ve got our 10s group, where we connect most training days to review training or go through footage or talk about what the coaches might have given us in new plays, and how we’re going to implement it.
“It’s great that they [Lynagh and McLaughlin-Phillips] are actually coming to us now and voicing their opinion. Definitely, he’s going to be one for the future, he’s got a great skillset.
While taking on the Waratahs, Tom Lynagh showed no ill effects from the back injury that cruelled him in the preseason.Credit: Getty
“I’m not sure where they’re going to pick me at this stage, whether it’s going to be on the bench or not playing. Hopefully, it’s on the field.”
Hunter Paisami’s permanent shift to inside centre likely means O’Connor’s only way into the starting team would be with the No.10 on his back.
But according to Lynagh, the veteran of 64 Test caps needs to be included somewhere in the squad.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Hurricanes, Lynagh revealed that O’Connor’s rugby wisdom had helped transform his own game.
But he declared that even after the Reds’ triumphant start to the season, his own spot was not guaranteed, and he would have to “keep fighting” to prove to coach Les Kiss he deserved the play-making duties as O’Connor’s comeback loomed.
“He offers a lot of advice, he’s here, so we have to use him – he’s got a lot of knowledge, and he’s obviously a very experienced player who has done it all before,” Lynagh said.
“He injects himself when he needs to. When we’re going through our team runs – what plays to call and where, how it’s going in the game, if we’ve got momentum or not, and just where to position yourself – that’s where I’ve used him the most.
“He’s not fit at the moment, but when he is, everything’s up in the air, you go into the week not knowing what is going to happen.
“But Rabs is Rabs [O’Connor], we’ve got to play him somewhere.”
Get the inside word on the news, sport, food, people and places Brisbane is talking about. Sign up for our City Talk newsletter here.
