Watch: James O'Connor gets creamed by a classic ball-and-all tackle in his 100th Super game
James O'Connor celebrated his 100th Super game in the Queensland Reds opening Super Rugby Pacific encounter against the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
He was given a bellringer just 12th minutes into his milestone match when Rebels Number 8 Michael Wells put a perfectly timed blindside tackle on the Reds flyhalf, dislodging the ball with the perfect shot.
O'Connor could do nothing about the crunching hit, taking the pass from Tate McDermott a split second before the arrival of Wells into contact. The Wallabies flyhalf could only shake his head and smile about the hospital ball afterward.
Commentator Sean Maloney on the call described the tackle on O'Connor as getting 'absolutely jammed'.
Shortly after the monstrous hit, Reds prop Taniela Tupou scored the opening try in the corner before O'Connor added the extras to take the lead. Two more penalties from the boot of O'Connor built a 13-5 halftime lead for the home side.
Lamentable errors from the Rebels hamstrung their chances as handling let them down on multiple occasions.
A try to Reds Number 8 Harry Wilson less than ten minutes into the second half extended the Reds lead to 18-5 before a final try in the last minute to Jock Campbell sealed the 23-5 win.
O'Connor was able to taste victory for the Reds in his 100th Super Rugby game, which came 14 years after his debut for the Western Force as a 17-year-old back in 2008.
His Super Rugby career spanned 39 caps for the Force before a two year stint at the Melbourne Rebels which featured 21 appearances. His 40 games for the Queensland Reds has come in two stints, returning to the club in 2019 after a short one season stay in 2015.
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Dear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
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