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The Reds have turned to Jonny Wilkinson's mentor to fix their goal-kicking struggles

James O'Connor. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Queensland are continuing to reap the rewards of James O’Connor’s work with English kicking guru Dave Alred, with the five-eighth helping boot the Reds to Super Rugby AU victory over the Western Force on Friday night.

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O’Connor’s kicking proved the difference in the seven-point win at Suncorp Stadium, nailing all four try conversions and then a late drop goal to ice the game for this team.

The Wallabies utility also booted a crucial 50-22 with the Reds then scoring off the lineout.

Before the March shutdown of the regular Super competition, goal-kicking cost the Reds victory against the Crusaders.

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Join hosts Drew Mitchell, Steve Hoiles and Lou Ransome as they chat all-things Australian Rugby.

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Join hosts Drew Mitchell, Steve Hoiles and Lou Ransome as they chat all-things Australian Rugby.

With O’Connor sidelined with injury, the team tried three different kickers but failed to convert a single one of their four tries in the 24-20 loss.

Alred’s most notable pupil was former England great Jonny Wilkinson, who slotted the winning drop goal in the last minute of extra time against Australia in the 2003 World Cup final.

He has also worked with Ireland’s Johnny Sexton and All Blacks star Beauden Barrett, and is also a swing specialist for golfers Luke Donald and Francesco Molinari.

While Alred has been with the Reds on a part-time basis for a year, he has remained in Australia due to COVID-19, with O’Connor saying he had transformed both his kicking and his mindset.

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“It’s been full on,” O’Connor said after the match.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m very appreciative of Dave giving me his time.”

The 30-year-old said that he stopped kicking altogether about three years ago with persistent ankle and groin injuries affecting his range of motion.

But after re-joining the Reds from the UK this year he had regained confidence both in his place and ball-in-hand kicking thanks to Alred, with the pair working side by side during lockdown.

Rebuilding his technique from scratch, he said he was now striking the ball much better.

As well as the Reds, the improvement is a boon for the Wallabies, who have struggled for consistency in the key area in recent years.

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– Melissa Woods

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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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