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What O'Connor makes of Crusaders' young 10s and getting 'schooled' by Mo'unga
By Ben Smith
Ex-Reds flyhalf James O’Connor has had five or so “real” training sessions to get a gauge on his new Crusaders teammates, including the young 10s he will be competing with.
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The Crusaders surprise signing of the veteran Wallaby isn’t just for mentorship and profile, with the 34-year-old making it clear he wants to wear the famous No.10 jersey.
The 64-Test veteran has a decade on his younger rivals and vastly more rugby experience, but he says watching them up close has put him on his toes.
“Taha is 21, Rivez is 24. They’ve got the world ahead of them. It’s a beautiful time for them.” O’Connor told media.
“I’m competing against them. I’ve made it very clear I want that 10 jersey. I want us to all compete for it and bring the best out of each other. At the same time, the team needs to understand that the way we’re all playing is similar.
“If one person goes down, the next one can step up. Still bring your strengths, but the communication is very similar, the language is similar, the lines are quite similar. Then you bring your unique finesse to that.
“There’s been moments where I’ve watched them both and thought it’s going to be hard to get into this 23.”
The Crusaders have been blessed with a long line of gifted first fives, from Andrew Mehrtens, Dan Carter and Richie Mo’unga, all of whom guided the Crusaders to championships.
O’Connor said he didn’t feel the pressure of stepping into the shadow of those greats, with experience teaching him not to venture too far away from his own style.
“I wouldn’t think of it as pressure, it’s more exciting knowing who’s come before me,” he explained.
“I’ve played against Dan [Carter] and Richie [Mo’unga], they’re two of the GOATs.”
The 34-year-old doesn’t consider himself a “natural born 10” after years of playing all across the backline as a professional.
He burst onto the Super Rugby scene as a hot-stepping No 12 with the Western Force, before becoming a world class Test winger under Robbie Deans.
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Stints at fullback followed before a transition into flyhalf where he played for the Wallabies against the British & Irish Lions in 2013.
Making a return to the Test arena in 2019, O’Connor played outside centre for the Wallabies before and during the Rugby World Cup that year.
He settled into the flyhalf role from 2020 at the Queensland Reds where he spent five years, recalling a match up with Richie Mo’unga where he was “schooled”.
“I’ve never been schooled as much as a 10 than when Richie did us at Suncorp when I was with the Reds. He’s a special player,” he said of the former Crusaders pivot.
“I won’t be playing the same way he plays, I can’t do what he can do. I can do other things in different areas, that’s what I’m trying to do with the coaches.
“I play how I play, I’m James. I have the directive from the coaches, this is the game plan.
“My mind sees the game differently to other players. I see it quite analytically, I played quite a bit of rugby league. The way I count numbers and spot space is different to a natural born 10.
“This is just what I’ve been given and what I’ve worked with. When you try to be something you’re not, it doesn’t usually work out.”
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Ridiculous signing.
Crusaders did not have an established no. 10 last year and was a major reason for their poor results. O'Connor may well be past his best but no doubt has experience on his side to help mentor a new dynasty in his position. Good luck.