QLD Reds flyhalf race now a race in three ahead of season opener after James O’Connor ruled out.

The fight for the Reds No. 10 jersey is now a race in three after head coach Les Kiss revealed ex-Wallaby James O’Connor would be sidelined for this Saturday’s season opener at Suncorp. MORE HERE

The Reds fly half battle is now a race in three

The fight for the Reds’ No.10 jersey is now a race in three after Queensland head coach Les Kiss revealed former Wallabies star James O’Connor would miss at least the first three games of the season.

The loss of O’Connor is a big hole to fill in a Reds squad already missing Australian Under-20s prop Massimo De Lutis, Wests captain Connor Anderson, hooker Max Craig and lock Angus Blyth for Saturday’s round one grudge match against New South Wales Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.

“James O’Connor won’t be available,” Kiss said. “He is probably another three weeks away, maybe four.

“You don’t like losing people like James. The truth is we have four good options there. All the other options are playing well.”

Kiss talked up Lawson Creighton, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Tom Lynagh as possible flyhalf options.

Lawson Creighton of the Reds gestures to fans after his team's victory during the round seven Super Rugby Pacific match between the Queensland Reds and the ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium on April 02, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Creighton is a premiership winner with Brothers. Lynagh is the son of Reds great Michael with 12 Super Rugby games under his belt, while 19-year-old McLaughlin-Phillips has played the most time in that position over the past six months.

“They’ve had good exposure at the end of last season in the Challenger Series, Wild Knights series, and the two trials,” Kiss said.

“We have seen Lawson, Harry and Tom have a good run at it. So while one goes down, I think the overall squad has got competitive right across the positions so that’s what I love about the team at the moment.

“I think all the 10s that are there have a good disposition about themselves. They don’t get flustered too easily.

“Harry just brings that real robustness to the line. He is a triple threat that’s for sure. Nothing seems to faze him.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is a Gunnedah product who went to Brisbane Boys’ College.

“Tom has carried a couple of niggles over the last 12 months but when he has played at this level you’ve seen what he can do.

“He’s got speed at the line, got a really good pass and his kicking game is right to the fore. So all those strengths come to play.

“Lawson is more rounded across all aspects of the game and he is an exceptional goal kicker as well because seven points is better than five any day and a good goal kicker does matter.”

McLaughlin-Phillips played in both of the Reds trial matches and the clash against Panasonic Wild Knights late last year where he made a superb Queensland debut.

Tom Lynagh of the Reds looks on during the round one Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Hurricanes at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, on February 25, 2023, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“The age of a guy or the experience of a guy is not the major concern, it’s about the collective,” Kiss said.

Originally published as QLD Reds flyhalf race now a race in three ahead of season opener after James O’Connor ruled out.