Quins-pirational Brian

Last updated: 5th March 2008

Harlequins Brian McDermott

Brian McDermott: Choice words

There are a lot of British players down there who have maybe been shown the door by some Super League sides but they have gone down there and made a big name for themselves.

Terry O'Connor
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Arguably the early season story from Super League XIII is the form of Harlequins, enjoying the lofty heights of fourth position after four rounds of action.

Hull, Wakefield and Castleford have all tried and failed against the Londoners and so the Boots 'n' All Online Show looked into why they are enjoying so much success down at the Stoop.

After watching them fight back to beat Castleford at the Jungle, Terry O'Connor paid tribute to coach Brian McDermott and his motivational skills.

"He commands respect, Brian McDermott," said O'Connor. "He is a former marine and when you played against him, he was a tough cookie.

"You know that whatever he says in the press and publically, if he has got any issues he won't say it in the press, he will discuss it behind closed doors.

"He is a very hard taskmaster and as a prop forward he probably didn't get the plaudits he deserved. He does know an awful lot about the game. You sit down and talk to him and he does inspire his team.

"At half-times and before the games Danny Orr says he comes up and talks to them and he really does get them revved up to go out and play."

And go out and play they have, winning their last three fixtures since their opening day defeat at home to Wigan.

O'Connor thinks there is a bright future for Super League in London, particularly with a core of British players making their way south and making names for themselves.

He said: "People have had the knockers about London, saying they will never have a team down there but it means a lot to a lot of people down there.

"There are a lot of British players down there who have maybe been shown the door by some Super League sides, but they have gone down there and made a big name for themselves.

"Rob Purdham is a player who must be knocking on the door for England come the World Cup at the end of the year."

Another player who has impressed O'Connor is Quins player of the year in 2007, half back Danny Orr, in impressive form against his old club Castleford in the 22-16 away victory last weekend.

"It's just the way he commands the respect of his peers," said O'Connor. "He is a player that Brian McDermott is going to look to, to really lead by example for the Quins side.

"Going back to Castleford, he had a great game, he scored a great try and his kicking game is second to none.

"He has probably never got the plaudits through his career about how good his kicking game is but playing with him at Wigan he practices so much on his kicking game and he is a master of the game."

Read marathon man, Terry O'Connor's London marathon blog on skysports.com