James O’Connor, Adam Thomson to debut for Queensland Reds against Western Force

BIG guns James O’Connor and Adam Thomson have been named for their Reds debuts in Saturday night’s redemption mission against the Western Force.

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BIG-NAME recruits James O’Connor and Adam Thomson have been named for their Queensland Reds debuts in Saturday night’s redemption mission against the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium.

The Test-toughened duo are the two changes to the Reds starting side which has to rebound from the embarrassment of last Friday night’s lame 47-3 crash to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

Wallabies utility James O’Connor will start at flyhalf with Karmichael Hunt shifting to fullback.

Former All Black Thomson will start at blindside flanker with Curtis Browning moving to the bench.

On the bench, former Australian Under-20s representative Tom Murday replaces Ed O’Donoghue as lock back-up. Murday was a member of the Auckland Blues Super Rugby Extended Player Squad last year before returning home to train with the Reds.

Centre Sam Johnson comes on to the bench for Duncan Paia’aua, the rookie flyhalf who has been ruled out following a head knock in Canberra.

James O'Connor will debut for the Reds at flyhalf.

Coach Richard Graham copped squarely on the chin that the Reds were not good enough in Canberra and expects a big lift in performance.

“Last week was a poor performance, the group recognise that and they are determined to deliver a strong performance on Saturday for our home fans,” he said.

“Our focus this week has been mainly around getting our set piece and defence right. The game usually flows on the back of controlling the collision zone and they start with those two areas.”

Having O’Connor and Thomson in the match-day squad is a positive.

“I have been talking for a while now about James and Adam making their debuts for the Reds. With some certainty I can finally say after a good week’s preparation that both of the boys will start this weekend,” Graham said.

Adam Thomson will make his debut for the Reds at blindside flanker.

“Adam has only been with the group now two weeks but has fitted in superbly. As a leader and a footballer he has been able to contribute positively to what we are doing.

“James will wear the No. 10 jersey. He has spent the last two weeks training fully with the team and looks settled. He is motivated to help the team around the field and allow the side to find their attacking framework. Karmichael and he will split the role on some first phase and phase attack.”

REDS v FORCE at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Saturday, 7.40pm AEDT (6.40pm Qld time), LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 2HD

REDS (1-15): James Slipper (c), Saia Fainga’a, Sam Talakai, Marco Kotze, James Horwill, Adam Thomson, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, James O’Connor, Lachie Turner, Samu Kerevi, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Chris Kuridrani, Karmichael Hunt.

Reserves: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Sef Faagase, Tom Murday, Curtis Browning, Nick Frisby, Sam Johnson, Campbell Magnay.

Originally published as James O’Connor, Adam Thomson to debut for Queensland Reds against Western Force