QLD Reds Announce O'Connor & Hunt

[Guilty]

Well it’s official. It appears Australian rugby's worst kept secret is now out in the open with the QLD Reds announcing that both James O'Connor and Karmichael Hunt have joined the team and will be playing next season.

O'Connor centric article - http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ect-fit-for-prodigal-son-20140829-10a2qs.html
Hunt centric article - http://www.rugby365.com/article/61831-hunt-and-o-connor-unveiled-in-red

Personally, I am thrilled at this signing and think both players will make excellent additions to the team and to Australian rugby in general. Very excited about the prospect of O’Conner, Hunt and Speight (and potentially Ioane) all being eligible to play for the Wallabies next year.

Everybody knows what James O'Connor can do and it would appear that after his 'exile' he has his head in the right space. I've always been a big JOC fan and am pleased to see him back as I guarantee he will be starting for the Wallabies as soon as he is able to be selected. It also looks like he will be playing wing which is clearly his best position - music to my ears.

I'm also stoked to see Karmichael Hunt join the Reds and think he really is going to make waves. Hunt becomes the second player ever after Israel Folau to play all three professional football codes in Australia (Rugby Union, Rugby League and AFL). He has been playing AFL for the last 5 years where unlike Folau, he has been a major success. Like Izzy, he has represented Australia and Queensland in the State of Origin during his league career. What most people do not know is that Hunt grew up playing rugby union and played for Australian Schoolboys before being poached by the NRL and converting to league. He was always on the radar of the ARU as a future star. With his background and knowledge of the game - I’m backing him to make a quick transition. He already has a good understanding of the nuances and tactics of playing union and was a very good attacking player while playing rugby league. He looks to to be the Reds starting fullback.

 

[lynam1104]

What position would Hunt play, know almost nothing about him. Agree that these are good signs for the reds.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Centre I think... maybe FB?

 

[squirrel]

Don't know about Karmichael he can tackle and that's about it, I thought he was overrated in league as well but my memory is abit hazy.

 

[The big Kangaroo]

I think they will play him at fullback.

With Harris and Lucas gone the reds only have Turner and now JOC that can play there and I think JOC will play on the wing. Lucas not wanted after 73 games is a bit of a shock in terms of the new squad. I can see hunt making it to the bench come world cup time. An ideal back 3 of speight,folau and Joc would be hard to get a starting spot.

 

[RoosTah]

Don't know about Karmichael he can tackle and that's about it, I thought he was overrated in league as well but my memory is abit hazy.

It's been a while since he was in the game now, so it's hard to know how he'll go. But in League I remember he was a real young gun early on and won a rookie of the year award.

 

[Jaguares]

Good news for Reds!

An ideal back 3 of speight,folau and Joc would be hard to get a starting spot.

11. JOC 15. Folua 14. Speight

or

11. Speight 15. Folau 14. JOC

OMG! And Beale as impact player, that would be fabulous! Australia is a serious candidate to win the next WC

 

[Guilty]

He's a fullback.

 

[Draggs]

Hunt played throughout the backline in his first rugby stint. We can try to summon the mad Manxman for a rundown on his time with Biarritz.

 

[Tony Manx]

Hunt played throughout the backline in his first rugby stint. We can try to summon the mad Manxman for a rundown on his time with Biarritz.

He mainly played in the centre and am remembering some very good handling , breaks and also defense. He was playing at a time when Traille was up for it and thought that Hunt was a better player even then.

yours,
The Mad Manxman

 

[welshglory]

So many good backline players now for australia. Futures looking good

Toomua, Godwin, Beale, Hunt, O'Connor, Folau, Speight, Cooper, AAC, Kerevi, Kuridrani, Foley

If only they could add Inglis and Giteau to the mix in time for the WC

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

hopeing that Digby Ioane will sign back to the reds and the reds could have a very strong squad next year and so would the wallabies

 

[Jaguares]

So many good backline players now for australia. Futures looking good

Toomua, Godwin, Beale, Hunt, O'Connor, Folau, Speight, Cooper, AAC, Kerevi, Kuridrani, Foley

If only they could add Inglis and Giteau to the mix in time for the WC

ARU don't need Inglis or Giteau, with JOC, Speight and Folau they will have one of the most dangerous outside backs in the world, at the same level as the ABs. They need top class reserves for Kepu and Slipper IMO.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

and the aussie's 13 cant match the all blacks 13, isn't that right conrad

 

[Draggs]

Aussies are fine for outside backs, but looking very thin at halfback.

 

[Gavin]

Aussies are fine for outside backs, but looking very thin at halfback.

Genia, White, Phipps at halfback ain't bad. True though that the only one who is world-class is Genia.

I still think JOC is a 12 in the making. Even though the majority of his caps are on the wing, I think he is wasted there

 

[Draggs]

Genia, White, Phipps at halfback ain't bad. True though that the only one who is world-class is Genia.

I still think JOC is a 12 in the making. Even though the majority of his caps are on the wing, I think he is wasted there

None of them are any good though. Genia hasn't been in form for a while, White and Phipps are dire as international scrumhalves.

Disagree about JOC. You can still be a flair player from the wing, modern rugby allows backline changes in play. He has a good boot, pace, and awareness. He was excellent four years ago on the wing. His running is wasted at inside centre for the most part.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

None of them are any good though. Genia hasn't been in form for a while, White and Phipps are dire as international scrumhalves.

Disagree about JOC. You can still be a flair player from the wing, modern rugby allows backline changes in play. He has a good boot, pace, and awareness. He was excellent four years ago on the wing. His running is wasted at inside centre for the most part.

Disagree about them being dire, you can do a lot worse than those guys.

 

[Draggs]

Disagree about them being dire, you can do a lot worse than those guys.

Sure, Mauro Bergamasco comes to mind.
They play fine at club level, but offer no threat at international level. Compare them to the likes of Smith, Care, Parra.
White has a poor pass, kicks with little thought. For a supposedly world class backline, scrumhalf is a choke point.

 

[Gavin]

Sure, Mauro Bergamasco comes to mind.
They play fine at club level, but offer no threat at international level. Compare them to the likes of Smith, Care, Parra.
White has a poor pass, kicks with little thought. For a supposedly world class backline, scrumhalf is a choke point.

Not many teams have 2 world-class halfbacks. When Parra is off form he is rubbish, when Care has no confidence he can be useless. Nic White is similar to Parra, not a world beater but a solid individual, comparable to Marshall for NZ or Dawson for England.

Only New Zealand can say their starting and reserve halfbacks can be classed as world class