Reds 'kiss and make up'

Reds antagonists James O'Connor and Adam Thomson have publicly 'kissed and made up' after their rather public spat at the weekend.

O'Connor and Thomson were caught on television in a heated exchange as the players walked into the dressing room for the half-time break of their 14-21 loss to the Sharks in Brisbane, with scrumhalf Will Genia forced to intervene.

O'Connor later produced a howler that handed the Sharks victory, after the Reds had worked their way back into the game – to trail just 14-16, with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Genia on Monday played down the incident at a media briefing, while Thomson took to social media to report on the latest developments.

"It's ok guys, @jamesoconnor832 and I are back together," Thomson said in a tweet, with a link to an Instagram picture of the two hugging.

The loose forward, who joined the Reds this year after a stint in Japan, followed it up with a quip to former All Black teammate Brad Thorn: "Yes hurry up Brad Thorn, things are getting out of control here… Men are hugging."

Thorn was recently appointed as the Reds' elite development squad forwards coach for three years.

He will join the Reds after playing the last two matches of his distinguished career – turning out for the Barbarians against Ireland (in Limerick on Thursday, May 28) and England (in London on Sunday, May 31).

Genia, who could be seen gesturing to both O'Connor and Thomson to keep their distance, said the pair were merely caught up in the heat of the moment.

"To be honest those sorts of things happen very regularly," Genia said at Ballymore on Monday.

"I have many of those heated conversations on the field with a number of players and that was the case on Friday.

"So it just happens that that one gets on camera for everyone to see.

"It's pretty funny when you read some of the interpretations of it to be honest, so take it for what it is."

Reds coach Richard Graham said it was important O'Connor turned his attention to Saturday's fixture against the Western Force in Perth as quickly as possible.

"I don't think it is something you can dwell on for a long time," he said.

"At some point you are going to have to move on and start preparing for the Force this weekend. That game in itself, the context of it is fairly significant so we need to start shifting our focus towards Saturday."

* Meanwhile the Reds coach, Graham, said they may be forced to look abroad for a replacement for Quade Cooper, who are moving closer to a move abroad.

Cooper is set to make his return from a shoulder fracture for Saturday's Super Rugby basement battle with the Western Force, leaving him with just three more games in Reds colours before his expected departure for European club powerhouse Toulon next season.

According to reports in the Australian media Cooper and his manager, Khoder Nasser, are dealing directly with the Australian Rugby Union over the possibility of staying in the country, most likely on a flexible contract.

However, a News Limited report on Sunday said Cooper had already assured Toulon, who prematurely trumpeted his signing back in April, that he would join them after the Rugby World Cup.

Graham dismissed it as "speculation" on Monday, but was unable to provide any update on discussions with the 27-year-old.

However, Graham admitted the Reds may be forced to look overseas for a replacement flyhalf if Cooper does leave Ballymore, where he has spent his entire professional career to date.

"That's certainly an option for us," he said.

"There's been a lot of movement with No.10s in the last couple of weeks with the Crusaders announcing three of them have gone to Europe.

"Everyone's in the marketplace and looking.

"Obviously our first priority is keeping Quade, and on the back of that you've got to make decisions based on what you know at the time."

It's ok guys @jamesoconnor832 and I are back together ? #cuddlebuddy #belieber @ Ballymore Stadium https://t.co/lzCpsaCFl2

— Adam Thomson (@adamjohnthomson) May 25, 2015

Yes hurry up Brad Thorn things are getting out of control here.. Men are hugging. ???? #equality #2015 pic.twitter.com/u8CoWpfZvo

— Adam Thomson (@adamjohnthomson) May 25, 2015