by Former Wallabies playmaker James O’Connor will put the feeling aside and do everything to “pull apart” his old Club Queensland Reds if you meet the Canterbury Crusaders on Sunday.
The 34-year-old half of the fly made a shock change to the New Zealand power package after he had to deal with injuries last season, which largely transformed into a mentoring role at the Reds resident in Brisbane.
He was named on the bench for the Crusaders and set up a tempting showdown in Christchurch.
“I stayed with them all the time, but this week there were a few more discussions,” said O’Connor, who made 64 appearances for Australia, to reporters from his old teammates.
But all friendships will fail if the former Reds captain is bought into the fight.
“I will do everything with my new team to pull them apart as I can help,” he said.
Fellows O’Connor are in his fifth Super Rugby Club after starting his career at Western Force 17 years ago.
He also has Irish and Sale Sharks in London together with the French Side Toulon in London.
The Crusaders, the 14-time super rugby champion, had their worst campaign for more than 20 years last year and have won one this season and have lost one so far.
In a thrust, they greet all Blacks Hooker Codie Taylor after a long thigh injury in one of two changes, with Dallas McLeod getting the nod in the middle.
The Reds have so far been unbeaten and will present their chances after a 25-year drought with the victory in Christchurch last year.
Trainer Les Kiss said he was suspicious of the insider knowledge about O’Connor, who spent the last five seasons with the Reds.
“We have a lot of respect for James, an extraordinary player and man,” said Kiss.
“He would undoubtedly know a little bit about us, so we have to be able to navigate this reality and ensure that we stay on the right path and to focus on our game plan as we want.
“We must be careful.”
MP/PST
