You’ve gone full nugg.
JOC (James O'Connor) has signed for Leister.
Pretty certain samu is contracted. Reds wouldn’t have the money anyways.
Queensland Reds 2026
- Thread starter Adam84
- Start date
JOC (James O'Connor) has signed for Leister.
Pretty certain samu is contracted. Reds wouldn’t have the money anyways.
Nuggetyflyhalf
Herbert Moran (7)
Too many Tooheys cans after Origin. A contract isn’t worth the paper it is written on anymore everyone knows that. Time to get bold Queensland.
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
JOC (James O'Connor) definitely would have been handy for the 2025 season as I reckon we would have looked better with him starting over HMP in the games Lynagh missed.
But at his age it's really a game by game assessment of whether he's up to it. He's also in the bracket of coming down with a niggling old man injury. I doubt the Reds would have been able to afford what he wanted for the risk it would be.
HMP looked pretty good against the chiefs. Until he somehow dropped the ball scoring that try.
Too many cans? You’re the one suggesting we go for 2 contracted players (one who’s mid 30s).
Adam84
John Eales (66)
There's the other side of the coin, that HMP will be better in 2026 for the exposure he received through 2025
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
100% and I think we are all hoping that to be the case considering Lynagh may have ongoing concussion issues.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
Best team in Super rugby thought he was worth it - and proved it! Guess Reds know better.
Hindsight is 20/20. We don't know how much his contract would have cost the Reds. Crusaders were light on play maker options. For the Reds the plan would have been, Lynagh > HMP > Gordon. Unfortunately, Lynagh and HMP had their interruptions and Gordon never made it onto the pitch.
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Reds Rick
Herbert Moran (7)
Agree with this, my understanding is that the reds made him an offer, it’s just that the crusaders one was better and new experience etc. Also have to remember he was out most of last season with injuries, not unreasonable to think he was winding down.
dru
David Wilson (68)
And both things can be right. The Reds not valuing JOC (James O'Connor) the same way that Crusaders did. I'd be happy if he was to return, and just as equally happy that Reds made a call and have other priorities.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
once again - noone saying he didn't - but the reds considered him the 4th option - too old, invest in future etc, his experience etc not carrying any/enough value. Crusaders offered him a contract at the same time, considered him a 3rd starting option, but vital piece of their puzzle, his experience of exceptional value to help them guide the future.
Two different philosophies when approaching the value of experience heads and developing talent.
Either way - Crusaders and NZ rugby in general, seem to value more experienced players, regardless of 'star power', then australia rugby does.
Ignoto
John Hipwell (52)
If we re-signed JOC (James O'Connor) this year and Mason wasn't busted, I guarantee any game that James took over HMP and Mason people would be complaining that we're not providing a pathway for the next generation of talent to come through.
Christ, there's like 100+ pages of posts in the Aussie Exodus topic moaning about all the young players we lost because we didn't give them an opportunity to prove themselves.
Now the Reds do that for HMP and Mason and they're still being criticised.
I swear, the Reds could win the competition and people would still complain about how much they are winning games by.
I think the Reds were absolutely better off not slowing down the pathway for Lynagh or McLaughlin-Phillips by having O'Connor there as well. He would have definitely deserved game time but I think the time of the younger two being clearly better is very close and you don't really want to get in the way of that.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
The crusaders never started JOC (James O'Connor) over either of their young flyhalves, but he was always their support. The young players had their chances to lead and the experienced head was there to cover and provide impetus.
I dont think anyone in QLD would (or should) have complained if JOC (James O'Connor) was 22 covering Lynagh, and then when Lynagh was rested, JOC (James O'Connor) was 22 covering HMP.
If they do complain, then they can answer why is it the best option for the best team, but not a consideration for us.
Spamnoodle
Alfred Walker (16)
Tooheys? Origin? Pfffft
Spamnoodle
Alfred Walker (16)
What do you think JOC (James O'Connor) was doing at the Reds the last 2 seasons he was there?
Nuggetyflyhalf
Herbert Moran (7)
I’d like to see Chris Latham get the Reds job when Kiss departs for the Wallabies.