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Report: James O'Connor's shock request to leave Australia for Super Rugby Aotearoa

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Wallabies superstar James O’Connor has reportedly approached a New Zealand franchise to play in next year’s edition of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

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A report from the New Zealand Herald suggests O’Connor has sounded out the Chiefs as a potential playing destination in 2021.

The Herald reports O’Connor, who was Australia’s starting first-five in his three test appearances this year, is eager to play in “the world’s toughest domestic competition” and “regularly test himself against the best”.

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The revelation comes just days after news of interest in O’Connor’s services in the Top 14, with Toulouse reportedly keen on bringing the former Toulon star back to French club rugby.

The 55-test Wallaby reportedly met with Rennie on Friday to discuss a potential release from his contract with the Reds to play in New Zealand next year.

While he doesn’t meet the 60-cap and seven-year service threshold required of overseas-based Australian players to play for the Wallabies, Rugby Australia [RA] last year announced two players based abroad who don’t meet those requirements can be selected for test rugby.

There is no guarantee, though, that RA will agree to release the 30-year-old from his deal with the Reds in what would be a significant blow to the Queensland franchise.

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Having returned from English club Sale following a second stint in the Premiership last year, O’Connor proved to be an integral figure in a youthful Reds side that finished runners-up in Super Rugby AU behind the Brumbies.

With vast experience and plenty of talent as a playmaker from either first or second-five, O’Connor’s departure from Brad Thorn’s squad would put a hefty dent in their ambitions to go one place better in 2021.

As for the Chiefs, the acquisition of O’Connor would go some way to improving their efforts in 2020, when they finished last in Super Rugby Aotearoa with zero wins from eight matches.

The Herald reports O’Connor asked multiple All Blacks about the idea of playing in Super Rugby Aotearoa, and it seems the Chiefs have been picked out as his franchise of choice.

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Losing Aaron Cruden to the Top League in Japan leaves the Hamilton side with Maori All Blacks youngster Kaleb Trask and former Blues and Highlanders pivot Bryn Gatland as their playmakers for next year.

All Blacks star Damian McKenzie is also capable of covering first-five, but is likely to remain at fullback, leaving O’Connor as a prime candidate to fill the void of experience Cruden left in his exit to the Kobelco Steelers.

According to the Herald, New Zealand Rugby have granted the Chiefs an extension to finalise their squad as they try to get the deal across the line.

Should that happen, it would add to the growing international flavour in Super Rugby Aotearoa next year.

The Highlanders have made the biggest splash in the international player market, bringing Japanese World Cup star Kazuki Himeno, three-test Wallabies prop Jermaine Ainsley and two-test Tongan midfielder Fetuli Paea to Dunedin.

In Auckland, the Blues have Manu Samoa pair James Lay and Ray Niuia on their books, and are reportedly in the midst of luring Los Pumas midfielder Sebastian Chocobares to Eden Park.

The sole offshore star at the Crusaders is Samoan prop Michael Alaalatoa, while the Hurricanes have his international teammate Kane Le’aupepe as one of their five locks.

The Chiefs, however, have no foreign talent on their books, which means O’Connor will be able to slot into their squad should negotiations work in his favour.

Earlier this year, four-test England midfielder Joe Marchant joined the Blues on a season-long loan and featured frequently throughout the year, as did South African wing Kobus van Wyk for the Hurricanes.

New Zealand Super Rugby squads are limited to a maximum of three foreign players, with one of those spots dedicated to Pacific Island players.

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

Even the 20/30 cappers did too I reckon.


IDK, I think Jordan has a limited life span in this side unless he can develop more to his game. Like you go on to mention, I think theyres more important things to worry about than the effectiveness of someone's extra strings, or secondary components to their game.


Bash backs are Fosters thing, and to a large part they've made it work. Theyre now one of the best teams in the world.


They boy's trucked it up a bit against Italy in the redzone, and against France, wasn't that effective without the right players probably.


Try and take a look at it this way. Dissapointed Havili and Blackadder were in the side? Havili despite clearly shown that he can't do what the team needs at 12 was kept on for the RWC. Back goes down and he brings in Blackadder who doesn't play. Refuses to drop Christie when he should and look who starts this season. Beauden Barret not playing well enough to keep his 10 jersey but we gotta keep him in the side. Weve only got one 8, we stuff developing another I'll just play Ardie every game.


This years team wasn't burdened overly with injuries but they were in every position Razor might have wanted to try and development, severely limiting options. I'm not defending Razor as there was also plenty of other opportunity to make up for it and he was a little gunshy, but I'm also not going to overly criticise him because he chose cohesion over a black slate.

How long are we going to keep blaming All Black failings on Ian Foster.

I think more and more people are on board with it being time to try alternatives, but then again, how would they have reacted to a loss against Italy? 😉

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