James O'Connor has warned the Reds will have to change their calls as the high profile Crusaders recruit prepares to take on his former Queensland teammates for the first time on Sunday.
O'Connor's arrival in Christchurch was initially frosty but he has won the Crusaders faithful over with some sharp performances from the bench and his willingness to fully embrace a new environment.
"It was like 'do we really want an Aussie over here?' Well, I've got Kiwi parents and I'm just enjoying the challenge. I'm enjoying the culture," O'Connor told reporters ahead of the round four Super Rugby Pacific clash.
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"Bye week, jumped in the campervan and went up north, Marlborough Sounds to Kaikoura. I'm exploring the country and just really loving it with my wife and my dog."
The good vibes are mutual with one Crusaders fan hopping out of his car at a McDonald's drive through after a win to shout O'Connor a victory feed.
"I didn't just order fries, it was a good size order he'd have to go into his pocket for," O'Connor said.
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"It was a really nice gesture he didn't have to do. I think it just shows how much they appreciate good footy and how excited they were to have me there."
But it's all business this week as O'Connor tries to topple his former mates.
Reds flanker Liam Wright revealed the team had got "radio silence" from O'Connor after inquiring about a pre-game coffee catchup in Christchurch.
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"They (Crusaders) put out a nice little Instagram post yesterday, so I had a few bite backs, which was pretty funny," O'Connor said.
The playmaker shared his love for Queensland in the video but warned: "They're going to have to change their calls, because I'm going to call them out all day if I'm playing."
Queensland coach Les Kiss - who remains in the frame for the Wallabies job - said he had enormous respect for O'Connor.
"He's an exceptional player with quality hands," Kiss said.
"He had an option to stay and it was nearly there. This thing popped up, and it excited him. There are no grudges here. He's done his bit here. He knows a fair bit about us without a doubt, so we've got to be able to navigate that reality."
Read on for all the round four Super Rugby team news.
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Two Super Rugby heavyweights find themselves with unfamiliar 1-2 records after sluggish starts to the season.
The defending champion Blues are back at their Eden Park fortress with some confidence, however, after knocking off the Hurricanes in Wellington last week.
FRI 7 March: Eden Park, Auckland (5.35pm kickoff AEDT)
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Anton Segner, Cameron Suafoa, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Cole Forbes.
Replacements: Nathaniel Pole, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Tristyn Cook, Che Clark, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Corey Evans
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuaika, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
The Drua have been the hard luck story of the competition so far with three thrilling but heartbreaking close losses.
This shapes as a cracking contest in Lautoka against a top of the table Chiefs side that like to throw the ball around nearly as much as the Fijians.
SAT 8 March: Churchill Park, Lautoka (2.35pm kickoff AEDT)
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi, Frank Lomani (c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Loganimasi, Inia Tabuavou, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Selestino Ravutaumada, Vuate Karawalevu
Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Elia Canakaivata, Motikiai Murray, Simione Kuruvoli, Isikeli Rabitu, Taniela Rakuro
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby Rickit, Tupou Vaa'i (c), Samipeni Finau, Kaylum Boshier, Jimmy Tupou, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Malachi Wrampling, Xavier Roe, Shaun Stevenson
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: James Leckie
Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea will line up against his former Hurricanes teammates in what will be a highly emotional occasion for both clubs.
Moana are yet to post a win but have been competitive in all three games with Savea in sensational form against the Highlanders last week.
SAT 8 March: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)
MOANA PASIFIKA (1-15): James Lay, Millennium Sanerivi, Sione Mafile'o, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Samuel Slade, Ola Tauelangi, Aisea Halo, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Ofa
HURRICANES (1-15): Siale Lauaki, Jacob Devery, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (c), Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Harry Godfrey, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love
Replacements: Nic Souchon, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Cam Roigard, Riley Hohepa, Jone Rova
Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant Referees: James Doleman, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman
The unbeaten Waratahs are searching for a more complete performance as they host the surprise packet Force in Sydney.
NSW are 2-0 under new coach Dan McKellar but have had to scratch and claw for both wins and are now looking to apply more polish.
SAT 8 March: Allianz Stadium, Sydney (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Hugh Sinclair, Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Lawson Creighton, Darby Lancaster, Joey Walton, Henry O'Donnell, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Leafi Talataina, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Reed Prinsep, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan Pasitoa
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Brett Cronan
The unbeaten Reds will travel to Christchurch full of confidence after stunning Super Rugby's most successful club on home soil last year.
Queensland are playing with plenty of freedom under second year coach Les Kiss while the Crusaders have former Reds star James O'Connor in their ranks.
SUN 9 March: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch (15:35)
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Sam Matenga, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Mitch Drummond, James O'Connor, Levi Aumua
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Frankie Goldsbrough
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Glenn Newman