James O’Connor granted extension to stay at Toulon before linking with Queensland Reds
JAMES O’Connor will now not link with the Reds until next month after being granted a brief extension to help his injury-hit French club Toulon.
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KEY signing James O’Connor will now not link with the Queensland Reds until next month after being granted a brief extension to help his injury-hit French club Toulon.
The former Wallaby back was expected in Brisbane this week until Toulon requested he stay on in France because of an injury to Australian teammate Matt Giteau.
O’Connor, potentially up for a frontline role this weekend against English heavyweights Leicester, will now join the Reds in Brisbane early next month.
“We’ve been working with James for some time, who has been in the process of tying up his personal affairs before returning home,” Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Jim Carmichael said.
“Due to injuries at Toulon, we’re happy for him to stay there for a couple more weeks.
“We believe these extra games in Europe will assist James to prepare for the Super Rugby season.
“James will be back training with the Reds at Ballymore in early January in preparation for our pre-season games.”
O’Connor and Karmichael Hunt will get their first taste of playing in a Reds jersey in the January 31 trial against the Melbourne Rebels in Cairns.
O’Connor has been used as a utility for Toulon with periods at wing, fullback and flyhalf plus time goalkicking.
Reds coach Richard Graham has assessed the best fit for O’Connor at the Reds is on the wing.
His ability to roam off the wing to work off flyhalf Quade Cooper is a major potential plus his handling adds to the Reds potency in a key area.
Originally published as James O’Connor granted extension to stay at Toulon before linking with Queensland Reds
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