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Reformed bad boy to lead Queensland Reds as interim captain

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

James O’Connor will serve as the Queensland Reds’ interim captain this Super Rugby AU season in the latest endorsement of the reformed Wallabies bad boy.

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The playmaker received a raucous round of applause from teammates when the appointment was announced internally after training on Friday.

The Reds are expected to confirm 30-year-old O’Connor’s appointment on Sunday, in the lead-up to Friday’s season opener against the NSW Waratahs in Brisbane.

Video Spacer

Brad Thorn reflects on Reds pre-season clash

Video Spacer

Brad Thorn reflects on Reds pre-season clash

He will stand in for injured skipper Liam Wright, who is hopeful of returning for finals but will miss the bulk of the 10-week home and away season with an ankle injury.

It continues a dramatic rise from rugby oblivion for O’Connor, who debuted for the Wallabies as an 18-year-old but twice left Super Rugby for Europe amid drug and alcohol-related mishaps.

Two nights in a Paris jail cell in 2017 proved the line in the sand for the Gold Coast product, who sought a return to Australia and has since re-established himself with the Wallabies and proved his leadership credentials under disciplinarian Reds coach Brad Thorn.

Former All Blacks forward Thorn watched in begrudging admiration as then-teenager O’Connor calmly slotted a conversion of his own try after the siren to beat New Zealand in Hong Kong 11 years ago.

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He no sooner had his Rugby Australia contract torn up, while another brief stint with the Reds in 2015 ended in acrimony.

But, six years on, O’Connor will lead a young side boasting a smattering of emerging Wallabies expected to push for a title.

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M
MA 2 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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LONG READ How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions
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