Queensland Reds flyhalf Tom Lynagh grateful for James O’Connor’s expertise

Injured Queensland star James O’Connor’s advice and guidance has been warmly received by Tom Lynagh.

Reds flyhalf Tom Lynagh has been seeking advice from the injured James O’Connor. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Tom Lynagh is gladly soaking up advice from injured Reds star James O’Connor as he bids to cement his spot as Queensland’s flyhalf.

Lynagh, 20, has retained his starting place in the Reds team for Sunday’s “Super Round” clash against the Hurricanes at Melbourne’s AAMI Park after an impressive display in Queensland’s 40-22 win over NSW last Saturday.

The experienced O’Connor was among the contenders for the Reds’ No.10 jersey before suffering a pre-season hamstring injury.

However, the 64-Test veteran remains a key part of Queensland’s unit as he mentors a grateful Lynagh.

“`Rabs’ (O’Connor) offers a lot of advice,” Lynagh said.

“He’s here so we’ve got to use him. He’s got a lot of knowledge, He’s obviously a very experienced player, he’s done it all before, so he injects himself when he needs to and we listen to him.”

James O'Connor has been happy to help Reds flyhalf Tom Lynagh. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

Lynagh said he often tapped into O’Connor’s expertise on game “scenarios”.

‘When we’re going through our team runs, what plays to call where, how it’s going in the game if we’ve got momentum or not, where to position yourself, what plays to call – that’s where I’ve used him the most,” the son of Reds and Wallabies great Michael Lynagh said.

As for what might happen when O’Connor – who can also play in the centres and at fullback – is available for selection, Lynagh said “everything’s up in the air”.

“You go into each week not knowing what’s going to happen, but ‘Rabs’ is ‘Rabs’ – you’ve got to play him somewhere,” he said.

Lynagh made his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Reds last year against the Hurricanes, but as often been the case for Queensland against the Wellington-based team, things did not go to plan.

The Hurricanes, who have not lost to the Reds since 2013, won 47-13 in Townsville.

“(It was) contrasting emotions,” Lynagh said.

“I was pretty happy and proud to make my debut, but it gave you a reality check that you’re in Super Rugby and you’re playing strong Kiwi and Aussie teams.

“It gave me a lot of confidence because we had a good first half but fell apart in the second half, so just piecing everything together is something that I’ve worked on and I hope it all falls together.”

Super Round, which features the competition’s 12 teams playing at AAMI Park, starts on Friday night with the Highlanders meeting the Blues, followed by a clash between the Melbourne Rebels and the Western Force.

There are also two matches on Saturday, with Moana Pasifika taking on Fijian Drua, and the Crusaders meeting the Waratahs.

Sunday’s Reds-Hurricanes game will be preceded by a battle between the Chiefs and the Brumbies.

Originally published as Queensland Reds flyhalf Tom Lynagh grateful for James O’Connor’s expertise