‘The art of patience’: Cryptic update on O’Connor’s future

Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss has issued a cryptic hint on James O’Connor’s playing future, declaring the former Wallabies star was “closer than you think” to a comeback from injury.

The 33-year-old has been dealt a lesson in what he called “the art of patience”, with his hamstring setback suffered in the preseason initially expected to sideline him for the first month of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss believes James O’Connor’s return from injury is nearing. Credit: Getty

Come round 11, and the veteran of 62 Test caps remained in the casualty ward.

The Reds take on the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday, with Lawson Creighton and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips to share the five-eighth duties in Tom Lynagh’s absence – also due to a hamstring.

A fortnight ago O’Connor was hopeful of returning for last week’s clash with the Blues, only to miss the heartbreaking 41-34 defeat after the full-time siren.

O’Connor comes off contract at season’s end, having helped facilitate the rapid improvements of Lynagh, McLaughlin-Phillips and Creighton this year.

He has been seen at Ballymore regularly over the weeks undertaking extra field sessions away from the squad, and trained with his Reds teammates on Wednesday.

Kiss downplayed any suggestion he had re-aggravated the injury.

“It’s probably closer than you think. The bottom line with James is I’ve been really keen not to just throw him out early,” Kiss said.

“The niggles have been there, I just want to make sure and hopefully, touch wood, that we do get to the right decision at the right time. It’s very close, and I don’t want to put pressure on it.

James O’Connor has previously stressed his hamstring injury will not be the end of his career.Credit: Getty

“I’m really hopeful it will be very soon. It wasn’t a reboot, I won’t get too technical, but it’s your whole performance chart – it joins up your back, your hip, your leg, your calf – so it’s just managing him through that.

“He’s in his, what, 18th season now at this level? You’re always going to carry some things, but his experience has been there for us off the field, as much as we’ve missed him on the field.”

There is hope that return could be for next week’s return to Suncorp Stadium when the Reds take on the Rebels – a telling boost given Kiss’ admission Lynagh could also miss that battle.

O’Connor confirmed assessment of his hamstring scans presented a more damaging picture than initially thought, revealing tendon issues that came with an eight-to-12-week recovery.

The looming Melbourne contest will mark the season’s 12th round, and O’Connor believes that once he can lace the boots again he will do so as a better, more insightful, player.

“We’re not reacting at all, it’s not that it’s early days, but there’s a process and I really appreciate what the coaches are setting, and the medical staff as well,” O’Connor said.

“A tendon can be anywhere from eight weeks to 12 weeks. I was hoping I’d be on the front end of the eight weeks, but it’s just looking like it’s the back end of it.

“That’s just the process of my natural healing. I’ve never had a problem with a tendon in my career – I’ve had ankles, I’ve torn my groin and whatnot – and this one’s proven to be interesting.

“In a way as well, I’m learning a lot more about the game, having to pull it apart in ways I haven’t.”