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'We really need him': Reds star set to shift again for quarter-final
By AAP
Josh Flook has tipped the "18-year-old" James O'Connor to resurface if he returns to the centres for the Queensland Reds' Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final.
And there could be more midfield positional shuffling as coach Brad Thorn plots another backs-to-the wall New Zealand upset in potentially his last game as coach.
No.12 Hunter Paisami didn't train on Wednesday after battling knee soreness in his return to the starting side from a long-term injury in last week's humbling loss to the Fijian Drua.
O'Connor wore the No.10 in that game but would be a natural selection at inside centre should Test weapon Paisami not travel to Hamilton to face the table-topping Chiefs on Saturday.
That would allow Tom Lynagh to wear the No.10 again in the sudden-death clash, while winger Filipo Daugunu is being considered at No.13 in a wildcard move that would push the versatile Flook onto the flank.
Daugunu was terrific in the unfamiliar position when the Reds upset the Chiefs in New Plymouth last month, the only loss the Chiefs have suffered this season and first Reds win in the country for 10 years.
Flook said the Reds needed O'Connor to be at his best for the side to become the first Australian team to win a Super Rugby play-off game in New Zealand.
The 32-year-old debuted for Australia on the wing as an 18-year-old but has found a home in the Reds' spine since returning from Europe in 2019.
He is off contract but AAP understands the Reds are close to finalising a deal to keep him at Ballymore next season.
"He's starting to find his feet again, playing with that bit of confidence as he did when he had that really good season at No.10," Flook said on Wednesday.
"Hopefully he's got that back because we really need him this weekend.
"At 12 he's a bit more of a ball-runner, can bring his footwork and show he's still got it from back when he was an 18-year-old kid.
"At 10 he's got to take that leadership role just a tad bit more and direct the team ... the 12 position just gives them a little bit more freedom."
Thorn won't coach the Reds next year and will use the off-season to consider his next move after a remarkable stint as professional player and mentor in both rugby codes stretching back to 1994 with the Brisbane Broncos.
"He's not a selfish person, he's making it all about us," Flook said.
"But I know all of us have, in the back of our mind, that we're playing for him.
"We're just playing for pride at the moment, were embarrassed last week and we've taken that personally."
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If I’m a little bloke, who’s just had possession of the ball, I should expect to get cleaned up by Samipeni Finau if he’s opposite me and I do nothing to avoid him. FTFY You’ll need to rewrite the rest of your article now Hamish Bidwell. I’m not sorry for having missed reading this one. I find it hilarious it’s only the static aussie 10s, just waiting there, that are getting smashed. Move on your feet guys, haven’t you watched DMac and Mounga play for the last decade ffs. Chin up, at least your smiles should return when BB returns to SR next year and there’s more 10s to the fodder.
Go to commentsThings I want to pay attention to this series. 1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight. 2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years. 3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?) 4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad. 5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges. 6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
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