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James O’Connor

2025 Super Rugby Season Week 14 of 16: Waratahs catch up late but Crusaders hold the cards with the lead from start to finish at Allianz Stadum

by Sports Benches May 16, 2025

It was a fantastic night watching Super Rugby this time on-site at Allianz Stadium although I know there’s another game that was happening at the same time next door at the SCG but that’s to do with AFL between the Sydney Swans v Carlton.

Back to Super Rugby with Crusaders ticking off as many dot point tries and full points as they can earlier on while Waratahs were blown away until they have other ideas playing catch-up after the half-time break. However, those flashes of late brilliances by Waratahs was unfortunately not enough to hunt down the clear victors from Christchurch on time by 33-48.

Bitter pill to swallow where Waratahs even without the injured Joseph should’ve been brave enough to have a few key players on from the start like Taniela Tupou on the front row and even Jack Bowen being the starting 10 over Tane Edmed. Not 100% sure if having Tupou waiting to come on was an injury management thing. Also nothing against Edmed who just reached 50 Super Rugby games but if I was Dan McKellar deciding to do things differently with selection and 1st half tactics – who knows?

Waratahs would have dominated the whole 80 instead of the 2nd half alone & now time is running against them with Top 6 getting tougher than ever when you’ve got Western Force and Auckland Blues currently standing in their way.

Finally, great to see the Saders rebound following their loss at home v the Chiefs last Saturday. Some mistakes were here and there especially in the latter stages but the good news is that their attacking placement continues to be good as ever being enjoyed by the fans. If they can stay alert by not slipping away those silly mistakes, then sure they will win the championship.

Top 3 players from Waratahs v Crusaders

If Crusaders win the Super Rugby title this year, can we have a honorary statue or portrait at that new Te Kaha stadium for Sevu Reece? The who never stops scoring tries with outstanding pace from out of nowhere as if he’s on bullet trains to rocket ships by breaking Super Rugby records.

Hello also to James O’Connor where he always makes a big difference every time off the bench – doesn’t matter he’s 10 or 15 as long as his creative output and conversion kicks continues to help them extend their lead & finish games strong.

One word of fine-tuning for the Crusaders to work on is their discipline as well as defending on restarts – all they have to do now is to spin and they will win.

Waratahs not their night tonight off the back of their improved 2nd half where some reserve players deserve better but gonna miss the brute force of Langi Gleeson smashing it against pieces of dominos & bowling pins hoping he will come back from France (Montpellier) just in time for the 2027 home World Cup.

May 16, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Week 10 of 16: Crusaders finds a way in the end to still hold on top spot of the ladder v Blues

by Sports Benches April 18, 2025

Scenes? What scenes? I’d say amazing scenes on what has been a current champs v seasoned past champs contest in Christchurch with the Crusaders broke the hearts of the Blues at the last minute courtesy of a successful James O’Connor penalty goal (who came on reserve back for Teha Kemara at No.10) by 25-22.

You just can’t believe how close the Blues wanted this so badly when they had a poor start to the year but then they’re no match at the moment when it comes to going up against either two of the best NZ teams including the Crusaders. All they have to do now is just stay positive when Blues go to Brisbane v Reds next Friday.

Meanwhile, what a story and remarkable signs of progress this year on the Crusaders rebuilding phase under Rob Penney even though last year wasn’t the best we thought. But hey, it’s important to have the experience ones helping these homegrown youngsters they’ve got and look they are now – they’re back in business on top of the Super Rugby ladder.

As long as they keep on winning including including two Australian games coming up soon (one involving Waratahs and looking to go there myself in Moore Park), we could be sure that the Crusaders would return winning championships once again.

Super Rugby continues with four games to finish off Round 10 tomorrow:

Fijian Drua v Waratahs, 12pm
Moana Pasifika v Brumbies, 2.35pm
Chiefs v Highlanders, 5.05pm
Western Force v Hurricanes, 7.35pm

Top players spotlight

Fletcher Newell is the man you need to know, mow and break down on the tighthead front row whenever the Crusaders need it most especially on wet weather conditions like this & sure his good performances this season will want him up front for the ABs later this year – just ask Tamaiti WillIams.

Noah Hotham making the out of the Crusaders half-back options even though he only has been playing the last few games after some time out due to an ankle injury but he likes to make things quick and his tough all-round ability reflects on that v the champs Blues.

Shoutout to James O’Connor also with that winning penalty kicking post and they’re still flying high on top of the ladder.

And Hoskins Sotutu’s performance tonight was tough as nails where the Blues so close if it wasn’t for that unlucky 1st half plus there’s hit and misses with endless push and shoves while funnelling passes out of nothing – Scott Robertson better save him now or he might as well wear the Red Rose instead.

April 18, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

Super Rugby 2025 Week 4 of 16: Crusaders making a statement on home turf following a comprehensive win over the Queensland Reds in Christchurch by 43-19

by Sports Benches March 9, 2025

Looks like it’s been another statement match that puts them 4th now from the mighty Crusaders v Queensland Reds especially at home off the back of their fast start along with a sweet full-time finish.

Great to see former Wallaby & Red James O’Connor also with some game valuable time off the bench once again – could’ve been a bit more special if it wasn’t for that David Havili lost ball by the other Reds 10 Harry MP.

They sure do need JOC the most whose off field influence has been the beneficiary so far of Rob Penney’s 2nd year in charge on the right track + JOC’s younger in-house No.10 of Taha Kemara who wasn’t bad other than a few hit and miss two-point kicks but he will get better with time just like club legend Richie Mo’unga.

They’ve got another home game next Saturday also during the afternoon v the Western Force where Force are so good on paper & no doubt Crusaders would want to make good use of their ball retention that can change everything- just have a look of last night’s game by the Waratahs also against Force.

And on Reds, not their day today having gave Crusaders a hard time as if it was an arm wrestling match, but were way out of place when it comes to the scoreboard with their first loss of the new season.

March 9, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

Brumbies hold off the Reds in a four-point buffer at 16-12 in RD5 of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific

by Sports Benches March 18, 2022

How good is this rivalry between the two best of the Australian Super Rugby teams here last night, as ACT Brumbies & Queensland Reds were neck in neck for the whole time through such a low-scoring match-up. Brumbies off to a great start with the three-point lead while the Reds bounced back not long later courtesy of James O’Connor, but it’s the Brums, who led the way at half-time, 10-7, before they managed to fend them off with the four-point win, 16-12. That means the Reds’ unbeaten run after four weeks so far in 2022 has now come to an end.

Unlucky from the Reds, where they endured a tough time against another elite Australian Super Rugby team in the Brums. They got the ball rolling with two tries on the board from James O’Connor in the 1st half & Josh Nasser in the 2nd half. Now the Reds may have overcome a different Tahs team by four points (16-20) back in Round 2 in Sydney, but not this time when the away side just couldn’t get past a powerful Brums defensive pack. It cost them penalty after penalty before the Reds rushed through things towards full-time, and unfortunately, it’s just wasn’t enough to upsurge the Brums in the last minute.

Meanwhile, well done to the Brums on another stellar performance last night on home soil. They got off to an early lead start via a three-point penalty goal, then JOC from the other end immediately struck back. However, they were just unstoppable as always in the attack, that helped the Brums re-gain the lead with patience. They also managed to maintain the momentum later on with plenty of opportunities with the ball. And looking at their defensive shape, the Brums frustrated the Reds attacking attempts with such a brilliant read, and that helped them maintain & hold off their winning margin against such another elite Australian Super Rugby side.

The Brums will now head to HBF Park in Perth next Friday night v Western Force at 7 pm local time/10 pm AEDT. Then it’s another State of Origin rivalry at Suncorp Stadium next Saturday night when the Queensland Reds host NSW Waratahs.

March 18, 2022 0 comment

Rugby

Rugby News, Scotland vs Australia match report

by Admin November 8, 2021

Australia came into the game with high hopes, they were favourites and having beaten World Champions South Africa twice this year, they had every right to be.

It was a slow first 20 minutes before Scotland’s Hamish Watson lunged in from a driving maul to put the first points on the board. Finn Russell made it 7 as he added the extras.

Another quiet 20 minutes went by before Australia were given a penalty in the Scottish half which James O’Connor converted for their 3 first points of the game.

The big talking point of the first half, however, was the controversy surrounding Australia’s number 3 Allan Alaalatoa for his questionable clear-out of Matt Fagerson at a ruck which resulted in a try being overturned and a yellow card for the Aussie.

Scotland’s first try also wasn’t without controversy as many claim that there was obstruction during the maul, however, the Television Match Official deemed it legal and the try stood.

Second Half

Australia started the second half as well as they ended the first with constant pressure in the Scottish 22 meant that Blindside Flanker Rob Leota was able to cross for an easy try and conversion by O’Connor to put the Southern Hemisphere side in front for the first time in the match.

Scotland’s debutant off the bench Ewan Ashman had a moment of glory in the 59th minute with an acrobatic lunge for the line to put the Scots back into the lead, however, Russell was unable to add the extras meaning we were in for a tight last 20 minutes at 12-10.

5 Minutes later, another James O’Connor penalty put Australia back into the lead before Russell had a penalty of his own just 3 minutes later.

Scotland were able to hang on with a driving maul in midfield helped the clock tick down before George Horne booted the ball into touch as Romain Poite blew the final whistle.

On the day Scotland were the far superior side. Their scrum was dominant and nearly won a penalty each time they packed down as their set pieces functioned well all around the field.

They made more clean breaks by playing better attacking rugby with more runs, more passes and lots of offloads to keep the game flowing which resulted in more meters made on the day.

Australia’s defending let them down as did their discipline with their 14 penalties conceded and a yellow card which could have resulted in a red card on a different day.

Players of the Match

Official man of the match Hamish Watson was by far the best player on the field on Sunday as he was a nuisance at every defensive ruck. The stats also back up his incredible performance with 1 try, 1 defender beaten, 11 tackles made with 0 missed tackles to cap off an all round impressive display.

Fullback Stuart Hogg was also instrumental for Scotland as he swept up well at the back, securing every high ball that Australia threw at him. His attacking potency was also on show as he was always a danger to the Australian defensive line whenever he was given an inch of space. He beat 3 defenders, made 1 clean break and made 61 meters from 9 runs.

Australia’s best player on the day was Fly-Half James O’Connor. He kicked a conversion and 2 penalties along with some impressive defensive figures making 6 tackles without missing a single one. He also made 31 meters by beating 1 defender and having 1 clean break to his name.

November 8, 2021 0 comment

Rugby

Australian Rugby News, 2021 Super Rugby AU Final: Top 3 players from the Reds v Brumbies Game

by Sports Benches May 8, 2021

You got to praise the skipper first in James O’Connor. He was a key player in this Queensland Reds rebuild. Ever since head coach Brad Thorn lured him back in 2019. It may have been a divided move at the start. But he has proved them wrong.

He was blessed with the Reds strong defensive shape. That helped his side win penalties. In which allowed them to suit themselves. Where James scored a couple of three-pointers into the goalposts. They may have been behind ACT Brumbies for the majority tonight.

But Reds were able to take note of the opposition ill-discipline. Based on the amount of late penalties won. Before they finally found a way to nail down a touchdown. All thanks to the skipper himself in JOC. It was enough to get the home crowd cheering on. And celebrate in style with the championship. What an improved man he is right now. Having turned around a corner over the last 18 months. Now he leaves with this trophy!

Fraser McReight

Another Reds player who stood out is Fraser McReight. He is a focal part of this back row department. Both blindside & openside flanker. And never stood himself down through every game he plays. Even when Liam Wright was injured for most of the Super Rugby AU season. Then nailed down his place at No.7 without a doubt.

He was part of the Reds strong defensive setup. Where Fraser was tasked to look at the Brumbies weaknesses. Such as a lack of their decoy runners. And exposed their ill-discipline. That is one thing he held on defensively while they are isolated. Which helped his Reds side win a few penalties.

It may have taken some time to have the Reds fire back going forward. Especially when he used his physicality to knock down a few defenders. But remained patient for the whole time during the second 40. Where Fraser was able to keep the communication close. Before the gap was there for JOC to finish. And there goes him celebrating that big win. Well done on being an key player in that Reds back row. It will be very useful going into the Trans-Tasman leg & Wallabies stints.

Tom Banks

Commiserations to ACT Brumbies who led for the majority. But unable to held on going into the final siren. There is one player who gave the Reds a hard time tonight. His name is Tom Banks at full-back. He knows how to clean the ball out via the kicking to stay away from danger.

It helps him read better. So it can be hard for the Reds to defend. And make them isolate with no option going to touch. That allowed his Brumbies side to get themselves ahead early. Thanks to the patience shown in the attack. Which helped them win a few penalties. As well as more chances with the ball earlier on.

Such as scoring the first touchdown in the 2021 Super Rugby AU Final. Followed by a series of three-point penalty goals from his side. But the most disappointing part was the ill-discipline. Especially during the second 40. When the Brumbies saw their opponents have an extended run against them. With not much chance with the ball as seen from the previous run. Before there were three players sent to the naughty chair. And that ultimately cost Brumbies the win they badly needed.

May 8, 2021 0 comment

Rugby

Australian Rugby News, 2021 Super Rugby AU Week 8: Top 3 players from the Reds v Brumbies Game

by Sports Benches April 10, 2021

Jordan Petaia played an outstanding run tonight for the Reds. Especially during the 2nd 40. In which benefitted this comeback that haunted the Brumbies in the end. He is a valuable pacey player. Whether it is on the wing, midfield or even at full-back.

He can make up the defensive contributions. When the Brumbies had one player running through. It allowed Petaia to read their lack of support runners. And drag them out into touch with the tackle. It really gave the Reds to settle defensively in the first 40. While the attack were not speeding up earlier on.

Then in the last 20 minutes Petaia tried something different. Thanks to the inspiration from skipper James O’Connor via the cross kick. So he went with the 50/22 strategy that granted his side a throw-in. Before the Reds were able to stay patient. Where O’Connor assisted the same thing that helped Petaia cap off really special. This is really good communication. Which is a relief to go from behind & dismantle the Brumbies.

James O’Connor

Another player who was behind the Reds comeback is James O’Connor. He is the skipper who plays at No.10 role. The start may not go against his way. Where the Reds were disjointed on occasions. But he was blessed with the defensive setup. In which helped JOC grab the safe route via a series of penalty goals. The Reds were nine points (6-15) behind at the break.

Then he finally found a trick to help the Reds grab their first big score. When he crossed kick towards the wide left. Saw Josh Flook pick up the pieces from the midfield. And easily made his way to the touch zone. Before he brought up Jordan Petaia with his creative brains. Such as the 50/22 kick into touch. Then followed up with the same attacking finish via the cross kick. And that saw Petaia execute this brilliant masterclass with the TRY.

In which is sensational to close out tonight on a high. Where JOC capped off another few successful kicks into the goal. Thanks to the Reds defensive setup who looked after it well all game. Saw them dissect the Brumbies poor areas in defense that lost them penalties. As it gave the Reds plenty of time to catch up towards the final siren. He is a very important player with lots of creativity. Reds need him badly not just to help them win Super Rugby AU. But also give them an extended run against the New Zealand sides too.

Folau Faingaa

He played well in the starting hooker role for ACT Brumbies. Fired off well with their attacking setup. Which exposed the Reds slow start. Such as the winning penalties on hand. And it allowed him to take control of the ball. It led to his side move ahead early. Especially when Faingaa used the maul to touch one down himself.

That allowed his backline to pay back what he built on. They dissected the Reds impatient finishing & foul play. With Faingaa in there alongside his forwards to build some blocks. Before Brumbies pushed each meter into the opposition territory. As seen with the maximum of points gained ahead of half-time at 6-15.

Although the Brumbies tried to fend off Queensland. But it is the ill-discipline that let Faingaa down. Their 2nd 40 run was not the same as the 1st half. They did not attack a lot. Instead the momentum turned around against their way. And it is something the Brumbies need to shave off ASAP. Especially when they are most penalised team so far this season. They have the Rebels next Sunday. And maybe again in the Qualifying Final. So they better give Faingaa more attacking chances. Before it is too late in the Final.

April 10, 2021 0 comment

Rugby

Rugby News, 2021 Super Rugby AU, WK1: Top 3 players from the Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs Game

by Sports Benches February 19, 2021

James O’Connor is both a playmaker and leader of the Reds cohort. Where he credits the defenders for the foundations.

It really took time for them to eat each meter from the Waratahs half. And they gave O’Connor the chance to be creative

Both mentally to find a way to break the Sky Blue half. As well as the execution to lessen his workload. So the credit is there when due. This tactic has really worked.

When they used the wide areas of the pitch. Calling names and communication is another part of his playmaking creativity. Before the execution is there.

Thanks to the assist towards Jock Campbell for the first touchdown. In which helped them put back on track. The same goes for his 2nd assist on Filipo Daugunu with ten mins left. Again James has the licence to thrill with the ball in his hand.

Dictates the play as it always should be out wide. Finds Filipo next to him with the short & quick pass. And there goes his attacking masterclass tonight in the 10 shirt. James wants to keep hammering

by attack, attack, attack every week. It will be the recipe for success this season.

Fraser McWright

He played such an all-round display in the 7 shirt for the Reds. Fraser knows how to read the Waratahs weaknesses. In which is important to limit their finishing play.

Such as taking advantage of their poor throw ins. And hold the ball up to turn over for the Reds. Fraser also knows when they lack support with one attacker alone. It is very easy for McWright to hold him down.

These attributes convey how good he contributes in the defense. Both physical and mental. As he is very capable to ruin the Waratahs from extending their lead..

Then he uses his physical build to knock one defender to the next. Attacking wise by giving himself and the Reds a chance to strike. As well as the pace to run them down through the gate. Communication is always good to find them another way.

It may not exactly be a touchdown aimed for himself. McWright is at least wanting to help the whole team. It is a job he has to guide his troops. Since Liam Wright is not here for 10 weeks due to injury. And it is evident when he assisted Filipo Daugunu earlier in the 1st 40. With the Reds are up ahead by way miles ahead by that stage.

And it remained unchanged until the very end. Might be a defensive minded game for the first two minutes. Despite the 14 men from the Waratahs. But at least the last 10 minutes changed everything. With McWright worn his absolute best for the badge. So he deserved to be in the Top 3.

Harry Johnson-Holmes

He looked after the Waratahs defense for 75 mins. Where Harry spotted the opposition mistakes. With the reading there to help the Reds loss the ball. And a very strong build to form these walls.

When the Waratahs have their turn with the ball. After the Reds unable to cope with the discipline as soon as the game began. His defensive work was the catalyst on giving his attack a chance.

You already saw how Tom Horton sorted the throw-in. And Harry joining in the maul to push it forward. Where his attacking instincts held the Reds up. While Horton still has the ball. Before giving Jake Gordon the finishing he needs. With the support of Jack Maddocks & Izaia Perese.

But unfortunately the backs poor finishing & ill discipline cost his hard work. As well as giving himself and his forwards a hard time alone. Where in the end a few Reds defenders can hold them back. And the ref hands the ball over. There is also disjointed talk between the two areas.

The only thing the Waratahs are good tonight is the foundations. And defensive minded play. Where the Reds have a few missed touchdowns left on the table. It can surely be a good thing for DJH that reflects his defensive attributes. But only this part alone for the whole time.

Harry needs his backline to perform better next week. A defensive only team with seven to eight men trying to stop the Reds from scoring. As the foundations built by Harry & his defenders. While the backline not matching the opposition attack will cost you games. That is one thing they will need to give him credit when due. They should listen and thank him for later. But not tonight though after the big loss.

February 19, 2021 0 comment