Former Queensland captain James O’Connor has signed a brand new one-year contract with the Reds that features a teaching aspect as he plans for his post-playing profession.
As a part of his new contract, 32-year-old O’Connor will mentor a bunch of rising Queensland playmakers, together with Tom Lynagh, Lawson Creighton and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, and coach inside the state’s elite pathways.
“This contract also allows me to deliver on one of the main reasons I came back to Australia – to help develop the next generation of rugby talent here at the Reds and also through coaching the junior pathways, which has been a passion of mine for some time,” the 64-Test veteran mentioned.
“I feel very privileged to be staying in Queensland. This is my home, my team and an opportunity to continue playing with a group of men I have a lot of love and respect for.”
Recently appointed Reds coach Les Kiss mentioned O’Connor’s “leadership and experience” have been “an important aspect of the current squad.
“The lessons he can pass on to our up-and-coming playmakers will be pivotal in the coming years,” Kiss mentioned.
“I’m looking forward to working with him.”
O’Connor, who led the Reds to the Super Rugby AU title in 2021, felt there was “much” left for Queensland to realize.
“I believe with our new world-class facility (at Ballymore), and under a coaching staff headed by Les, we can really find our next gear,” the versatile playmaker mentioned.
Source: www.news.com.au
