Richard Graham
Reds coach Richard Graham believes their more ‘free spirited’ approach to the game will suit skilful players like Karmichael Hunt and James O’Connor.
While Graham looks set to start with Hunt at flyhalf in the season-opener against the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday, the Wallaby utility back, O’Connor, is likely to appear at first receiver very often.
Speaking at a media briefing ahead of their trip to the Australia capital, the Reds mentor made no secret of his admiration for two players, as well as the skill sets the code-hopper and disgraced Wallaby can bring to the team.
“I though Karmichael did really well,” Graham said, adding: “I was really pleased with his performance – he was very clear in his communication and decisive and that got us on the front foot.”
He also waxed lyrical when asked about the qualities of O’Connor, despite the bad media the utility back received in recent years – both for his on-field and off-field conduct.
The media was particularly brutal in their assessment of O’Connor’s form in the series loss to the British and Irish Lions in 2013 – criticism that rose to a whole new level in the wake of his alcohol-fuelled mishaps before a stint in Europe.
“People judged him fairly harshly on the back of a huge series against the British and Irish Lions,” Graham said of O’Connor, adding that the Reds would be the team to unlock his obvious talents.
“We have a system in place that would allow him to roam a bit more free,”the coach said, adding: “Having played Test matches there and also Super Rugby there he definitely has some experience.”
Graham said OÇonnor is “definitely” in the running to play flyhalf, or at least interchange in the game.
“It comes back to his experiences previously. He also has a good understanding of the game that we are looking to play, because he has been involved with us for the last five-six weeks and he is also kicking goals well.”
However, Hunt looks set to get the first crack at the No.10 jersey.
“I said last week, on the back of the experiences of Karmichael – from being a 17-year-old kid playing NRL, to playing Test and Origin football, a European Cup Final for Biarritz – all those things. I’ve talked about his professionalism within the program and his mental resilience to handle situations.
“He demonstrated that the other day. His first game at No 10 against Dan Carter, arguably the best flyhalf in the world over the last 10 years. He handled that well.
“I’ve got no problems if I name him at 10 this weekend because he’ll get the job done for us.”
Graham added that if Hunt was to start at No 10, O’Connor would feature somewhere in the back three.
He admitted it is a big call.
“Getting it right is important, there is no doubt about it – it is such an important position. I certainly have confidence in how Karmichael performed last week and James played Test match there previously.
“The one good thing is that I’m going to have options.”
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