TALENT KICKS IN FOR O’CONNOR
BIRTHDAY boy and Queensland Reds hero James O’connor has vowed to make up for lost time after admitting he had “neglected” his “talent” for too long.
On Friday night, O’connor delivered the Reds the Bob Templeton Cup for the first time since 2013, kicking two late penalties to secure a 32-26 Super Rugby AU win over the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.
O’connor stepped up under pressure after teammate Bryce Hegarty’s mixed night with the boot.
It was a perfect early birthday present for the one-time wayward Wallaby, who turned 30 on Sunday.
“Last Friday, I got to kick again after many years neglecting my craft. Neglecting my art. And in doing so, I neglected myself,” O’connor posted to his Instagram account.
“I neglected the need to deliver the most powerful expression of myself to rugby, for the sake of those who needed some hope.
“It may just seem like rugby to some but to others right now, it is hope!”
And it seems as if the star fly half wants to retain the Queensland goalkicking duties against the Melbourne Rebels at Brookvale Oval on Friday night, and beyond.
“Now that I find myself back in the position of being able to fully express myself on the pitch, and in particular at the kicking tee, know that I will not waste another moment,” he wrote.
The Rebels, who have been based in Canberra since last month, were beaten in their Super Rugby AU opener, losing 31-23 to the Brumbies on Saturday night.
The Melbourne team will reportedly move to Sydney this week ahead of Friday’s battle with Queensland.