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James O'Connor has a completely different approach to the week

James O'Connor's last game for the Wallabies in 2013.

The biggest indicator of James O’Connor’s transformation from rugby party boy to model professional in Wallabies veteran Will Genia’s opinion is his Tuesday nights.

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Prior to O’Connor’s departure from Australia six years ago, Genia noted how his teammate would use nights off to hit the town.

These days however, it’s a very different story.

“Tuesday nights, James was always out and about doing stuff because Wednesday we have off,” Genia said.

“Tuesday night in the last three or four weeks that we’ve had, he’s in his room stretching, doing what it takes in terms of recovery.

“He understands that this is a huge opportunity for him.”

O’Connor has been thrown a lifeline to make up for his failed attempt to get into Australia’s 2015 World Cup squad.

The 29-year-old is firmly in contention to secure his 45th Test cap on Saturday when the Wallabies host Argentina in a Rugby Championship clash at Suncorp Stadium.

Halfback Nick White made an impressive return from his own Wallabies exile last weekend against South Africa, and Genia believes that’s the template for O’Connor to follow if he’s picked to face the Pumas.

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“You saw Whitey come back and play very well, hopefully it can be a similar story with James because I think he was on 44 Tests and he was so young when he left,” Genia said.

“We all know how good he is and hopefully the fact he’s in a better space mentally, he can be an even better player this time around.”

The clash with the Pumas is Australia’s last before back-to-back Bledisloe Cup Tests against New Zealand.

With games running out before this year’s World Cup, Genia said it was crucial for the Wallabies to start building momentum.

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A veteran of Australia’s 2015 tournament, Genia said preparations for this year’s event were all about discovering the Wallabies best combinations.

“We’re in a different position in the sense that we’re trying to do things differently from a game perspective,” he said.

“It was really pleasing to see the way things came together the way they did on the weekend – obviously we didn’t get the result which is disappointing – but trying different things and doing things a different way there’s always going to be some teething problems but I think we’re on track, definitely.”

– AAP

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Tom 6 hours ago
Will Bristol's daredevil 'Bears-ball' deliver the trophy they crave?

Also a Bristol fan and echo your sentiments.


I love watching Bristol but their approach will only get them so far I think. Exeter played like this when they first got promoted to the prem and had intermittent success, it wasn't until they wised up and played a more balanced game that they became a consistently top side.


I really want Bristol to continue playing this brand of rugby and I don't mind them running it from under their posts but I don't think they need to do it every single time. They need to be just a little bit more selective about when and where on the pitch they play. Every game they put themselves under so much needless pressure by turning the ball over under their posts trying to do kamikaze moves when it's not required. By all means run it from your goal line if there is a chance for a counter attack, we all want to see Bristol running in 100m tries from under their posts but I think until they learn when to do it and when to be pragmatic, they are unlikely to win the premiership.


Defense has been a real positive from Bristol, they've shown a lot of improvement there... And I will say that I think this kamikaze strategy they employ is a very good one for a struggling side and could be employed by Newcastle. It's seems to have turned around Gloucester's fortunes. The big advantage is even if you don't have the biggest and best players, what you have is cohesion. This is why Scotland keep battering England. England have better individuals but they look muddled as a team, trying to play a mixed strategy under coaches who lack charisma, the team has no identity. Scotland come out and give it full throttle from 1-15 even if they struggle against the top sides, sides like England and Wales who lack that identity drown under the relentless will and synergy of the Scots. If Newcastle did the same they could really surprise some people, I know the weather is bad up there but it hasn't bothered the Scots. Bristol can learn from Scotland too, Pat is on to something when he says the following but Scotland don't play test matches like headless chickens. They still play with the same level of clarity and ambition Bristol do but they are much better at picking their moments. They needed to go back to this mad game to get their cohesion back after a couple of seasons struggling but I hope they get a bit wiser from matches like Leinster and La Rochelle.


“If there’s clarity on what you’re trying to do as a team you can win anything.”

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LONG READ Does the next Wallabies coach have to be an Australian? Does the next Wallabies coach have to be an Australian?
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