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Wallabies centurion backs James O'Connor: 'It would be a waste if he didn't get another opportunity'

Former Wallaby James O'Connor delivered the final pass for Faf de Klerk's brilliant team try. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Five-eighth Bernard Foley has welcomed James O’Connor’s bid to break back into the Wallabies squad while former Test pivot Matt Giteau says it will be “a waste” if Australian rugby’s former golden boy doesn’t get another opportunity at international level.

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O’Connor is reportedly on the verge of signing a long-term deal with the Queensland Reds, which could see him return to the Wallabies squad as soon as this week after departing English club Sale

On Wednesday, O’Connor trained with other Australian Rugby Championship squad aspirants in Brisbane, but had yet to sign a contract with Rugby Australia and the Reds.

“James has come back today and already he’s shown he’s a quality player and he’s got that intent and desire to come back and play for the Wallabies; and that’s only a good thing,” Foley said.

“It builds the competition and competitiveness around the team and selection and each person driving each other to be a better player.”

O’Connor, who turns 29 on Friday, was the second youngest Wallaby when he made his debut for Australia at 18 in 2008.

He started Tests at fullback, wing and five-eighth and was also used in the centres, before his international career was cut short in 2013, after 44 Tests, after a series of off-field incidents.

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O’Connor returned to Australia with the Reds in 2015 to play at the World Cup that year, but he was overlooked and returned to Europe.

Giteau played with O’Connor at Toulon and believes it will be “silly” to leave the utility back out of World Cup calculations, with the tournament in Japan later this year.

“The ability he’s got to cover so many positions and to cover them at a world-class level, it would be silly not to at least consider him for that squad,” Giteau told PlayersVoice.

“It would be a waste if he didn’t get another opportunity – for him and Australian rugby.”

Giteau admits O’Connor “rated himself” early in his career but remains convinced the once prodigious talent has matured and deserves his shot at redemption.

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“He definitely rubbed some people up the wrong way, and got into some dramas, and for a lot of Australians that’s the last image of him,” Giteau said.

“He now understands how much he enjoyed playing for Australia, and how much he has missed not playing for his country having been given such an opportunity at such a young age.

“When something is taken away from you, you realise how much you miss it.

“He’s at a place now where he understands what he did wrong.

“The only way we can learn is from our mistakes and that’s how we get better. He’s developed a lot as a person – more team-oriented, more level as a guy.”

– AAP

Hear what George Gregan thinks of his former side’s World Cup chances:

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J
JW 2 hours ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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