Super Rugby AU: Teammates back James O’Connor to rise to Reds’ captaincy challenge
James O’Connor has received great support from his teammates after being chosen to lead Queensland in the absence of injured skipper Liam Wright.
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James O’Connor’s organisational skills made him a perfect choice to replace the injured Liam Wright as Queensland Reds skipper.
With Wallabies flanker Wright to miss most of the Super Rugby AU season with an ankle injury, flyhalf O’Connor will skipper the Reds, starting from Friday night’s round-one showdown with the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.
“As a playmaker, that’s one of his core skills, being able to organise people,” said Reds forward Angus Scott-Young, who with O’Connor is part of Queensland’s leadership group.
“He’ll slot pretty seamlessly into that role. He talks quite a bit on the field, (but) not the biggest talker off it.
“He’ll point out a few things at meetings, but when he’s on the field he’s the guy you got to if you want to clarify a role.
“I think he’ll be good at whatever he does this Friday.”
Scott Young’s fellow forward Fraser McReight also tipped the experienced O’Connor – who has 55 Wallabies caps – to rise to the captaincy challenge.
A former Junior Wallabies skipper, McReight was floated as a left-field option to replace Wright as captain by Queensland and Wallabies great Tim Horan, despite not being part of the Reds’ leadership group.
James O'Connor has been appointed Queensland interim captain while Liam Wright is sidelined with injury. #WeAreQueensland #RedsFamily pic.twitter.com/QQJUmRUXDx
— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) February 14, 2021
However, he backed the call to give the once wayward O’Connor the job.
“Everyone’s got to take a step up, but I’m really excited for James,” McReight said.
“It’s a pretty cool story. He’s done the full 360. I’m pretty proud for him and I’m pretty honoured to run out behind him.
“Everyone’s got that added responsibility to step up, so it’s not going to just be him telling us what to do.
“While he is the newly appointed captain, he doesn’t have that much weight on his shoulders. That’s all of our jobs.”
O’Connor, 30, said he was “truly humbled” to be given the captaincy job in the absence of Wright.
“I’m honoured to take the job while ‘Wrongers’ is out,” O’Connor said.
“We’ve got a core group of leaders in the team ... but for me it will be my job as usual. I’ve helped ‘Wrongers’ guide the team around the park, and in terms of structures off (the field), working closely with the coaches in that respect.
“Since I’ve come in I’ve really wanted to be involved and just give my all, and I think that’s possibly why I got the call up.
“This is my home, I grew up playing here and it is a dream.”
O’Connor said the time had come for the Reds to “step up” and “put our money where our mouth is”.
“We want to lead with actions and what we do in the field come round one will speak volumes,” he said.
Originally published as Super Rugby AU: Teammates back James O’Connor to rise to Reds’ captaincy challenge
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