Flair in fight for future: Four things learnt from Reds’ defeat to Wales

If James O’Connor is fighting for his future in Australian rugby, then he did himself no harm in his long-awaited return to the No.10 jumper.

The veteran of 64 Wallabies’ caps showed flashes of the flair that made him a Test star in the Queensland Reds’ 36-35 defeat to Wales; Kieran Hardy’s match-winning try coming in the dying stages.

After a Super Rugby Pacific campaign marred by a hamstring injury which restricted him to just three games off the bench, the 34-year-old looked free of those concerns.

James O’Connor in action for the Reds against Wales.Credit: Getty Images

O’Connor’s service threatened to unleash fullback Jock Campbell multiple times, while twice he broke the line to have the defence scrambling, before the smallest of knock-ons denied him a try.

His perfect short pass for Tim Ryan created the chance for Mac Grealy to score his first try of the year, before he fired an inch-perfect cutout pass to set up a raid for the winger’s second.

Mac Grealy goes over for the Reds.Credit: Getty Images

While unable to steer Queensland over the line, O’Connor’s in 80 minutes proved he had more to offer beyond his 2024 deal.

“I think from Jock at the back to ‘Rabs’ [O’Connor] … that leadership really served us well, and we just kept trying to probe away,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.

“He stood up, didn’t he? I was really happy for him.”

How the hooker became the new points factory

Whatever Kiss and forwards coach Zane Hilton have done to Queensland’s set piece spells ominous signals for what is to come.

Unable to get a Super Rugby minute this year, Richie Asiata took advantage of his chance in the absence of the club’s Wallabies stars by helping himself to a hat-trick.

All three came from rolling mauls.

Matthew Faessler and Josh Nasser will have the mortgage on the hooker rotation, and rightfully so given how they delivered in 2024 - scoring 11 tries between them from mauls.

For Australian rugby to fight through a rebuilding period, they need forwards capable of executing the set piece, and exhibiting the discipline needed to remain in the officials’ good books.

Asiata showcased that same attention to detail Kiss and Hilton have sought.

“From our perspective [the outside backs] are certainly not jealous,” Campbell said.

“I think the team all knew his talent – he’s behind two pretty good players - and to be fair to him, he’s had a fair few niggling injuries and just hasn’t had an opportunity.

“It’s so good, and I think as a pack against a Test team they really stood up, and they had a point to prove, and I think a lot of them proved they are Test players.”

International class breaks Reds’ wall … but only briefly

In the lead-up to the Reds’ quarter-final loss to the Chief, Kiss’ men had not conceded a single mauling try.

It took Wales 39 minutes to claim two.

Queensland were without the majority of their pack – Faessler, Nasser, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Alex Hodgman and Angus Blyth all on Wallabies’ duties.

The visitors approached this contest as far more than a friendly, having succumbed to the launch of the Joe Schmidt Wallabies’ era twice to take them to nine straight defeats.

Wales produced some moments of absolute class, with five-eighth Sam Costelow orchestrating a miraculous short-side raid for Regan Grace to score, before his pinpoint cross-field kick gifted Rio Dyer another.

The 23-year-old’s 40/22 early in the second half kept Queensland pinned on the back foot, with the scattered defence unable to keep out outside centre Nick Tompkins.

But once the hosts gained momentum, their defence followed, twice defending several phases trapped inches from their goal line.

“It’s tough to take, isn’t it? The boys played with verve, passion … these boys didn’t die wondering, and there were a couple of massive defensive sets,” Kiss said.

“I think across the park we approached this to ensure we gave deeper experiences to the guys to find out what it’s like to play at that next level, and it was next level - the intensity rises in every moment.

“These are moments to learn more, to grow deeper in our understanding of what it will take, and that’s invaluable for us.”

‘Junkyard Dog’ found his magic moment, but is he an out-and-out winger?

He came up with one magic moment, but Friday night’s clash seemed to confirm Tim Ryan was an out-and-out winger.

The man they call ‘the Junkyard Dog’ produced one sensational offload to deliver Grealy’s first try, but was dealt a beating by the seasoned and powerful Wales’ backline.

Credit to him, the 20-year-old never stayed down and continued to hunt for ways to impose himself on the contest, culminating in his try assist.

But there was one moment late in the match which gave the sense the wing would long be his best position for the team.

O’Connor’s cutout pass for Anderson may have ended in Grealy’s second try, but as the Melbourne Rebels’ recruit was brought down you have to wonder whether Ryan would have streaked the length of the field, as he did en route to nine Super Rugby tries in four starting appearances.

Schmidt was asked about Ryan’s Test credentials before the first Test against Wales, indicating he wanted to see him develop more physically.

His stint with the No.13 on his back no doubt would have done that.

“It was just our numbers really, we had considered putting Jock at 13, but I think it was important we had Jock at the back with that leadership,” Kiss said.

“Timmy will learn a lot from that, he’s up against Tompkins - he’s a premiership-winner - and he’s battle-hardened at this level. That’s going to make dividends for Timmy down the road.”