'It genuinely hurt': James O'Connor ready for Wallabies redemption in No. 10 jersey
Older, wiser and mentally stronger, James O’Connor would jump at a shot at playmaker redemption for the Wallabies.
Assured and creative performances when switched to five-eighth for the Queensland Reds’ past three Super Rugby matches have 29-year-old O’Connor in the frame for the vacant role when the Wallabies host Ireland in July.
A dashing outside back as a youngster, O’Connor admits he wasn’t ready to be Australia’s chief playmaker when thrust into the No.10 jersey by coach Robbie Deans in the cauldron of the 2013 British and Irish Lions series.
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Criticism of his time in that position still stings but, encouraged by the new outlook on life he’s gained through his work with men’s wellness organisation Saviour World, O’Connor would love to erase those demons if given the chance by new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.
“It genuinely hurt and I can admit that now,” said 52-test veteran O’Connor.
“Going back there now, you can’t run away from your problems, you can’t hide from things.
“You take them on and once you defeat it, that’s the whole point of living, to experience life and these sorts of things, these challenges.”
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While he’s relishing being in the No.10 jersey for the Reds, O’Connor admits there’s plenty of room for improvement in his game.
The departures of Christian Lealiifano, Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper have put the Wallabies’ No.10 jersey up for grabs with Matt Toomua and Brumbies young gun Noah Lolesio the other main contenders.
“They’re both playing well. Obviously Matt’s been in the saddle a long time. I grew up playing with Matt and he’s an all-out 10 I believe in my books. Controls the game well,” O’Connor said.
“Noah, he’s shown what he can do, played good attacking footy. It’s just a matter of time whether he can develop quick enough. It takes a while to learn how to play 10.
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“You can play it at schoolboy or you can play it even at Super Rugby but at test level, it’s a much different game and I found that out when I was younger.
“The margins for error are tiny. The pace of the game is higher, the contact’s are higher.
“Good luck to them both and good luck to me I guess as well.”
– AAP
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Comments on RugbyPass
No doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to commentsnext SA head coach?
3 Go to commentsGreat try by van Poortvliet.
1 Go to commentsThey have been cruelled by injuries but almost nobody (Sevu Reece and Fletcher Newell big exceptions) has played above himself which regularly happened before. Surely Scott Robertson had maintained the recruitment programme and it looks like a reasonable squad. Last in this competition will stall a lot of careers. Penny seems likeable. But it’s not enough even though this was better. We haven’t been good enough and it’s not helped by the “it’s been 15 years since… “etc “after nearly every match. Seems somehow a soft gifting of something once valuable. Kieran Read giving comments last week almost choked describing the easy surrender of possession by the forwards. I’d love to think that the senior players some of whom are back can show enough pride in the jersey to test the Blues next week.
5 Go to commentsWho will Joe select for the back three with so many in form candidates? Just hope he doesn’t get shafted like Dave Rennie and to a lesser extent Deans.
8 Go to commentsAlways reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
5 Go to commentsAdding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
8 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to comments