Loose Pass: World Cup returns and ignominious exits

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This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with World Cup dark horses after James O’Connor’s Australia return and ignominious exits…

Returns of the prodigal…

Plenty of interesting news around World Cup squads the past few days, and plenty of moves once again indicative of the state of development in certain countries.

For while it seems Australia and England may be turning to recognised and now ‘mature’ talents, New Zealand continue to look to the fresh and the untried for inspiration, two months out from the Japan spectacle.

Perhaps the most interesting possible ‘in from the cold’ story concerns James O’Connor. Forced to head overseas in 2015, two years after his contract with Rugby Australia was torn up and having failed to make the World Cup squad, he has very specifically targeted this World Cup as the reason for leaving Sale and has re-signed with RA.

We’re curious as to why the governing body might go there. O’Connor has clearly cleaned up his act since his acrimonious exit from Toulon, but it is not like he is playing like the star he once was.

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Having just rid themselves of the trouble-making Israel Folau (we hope), there is a need. But surely somewhere among the Australian rugby player pool there’s a young back with all the promise O’Connor once had and none of the baggage? Maybe even from the recent successful U20 side? That Isaac Lucas is pretty useful, for example…

O’Connor does bring experience. But his last international match was fully six years ago and, while he has been a regular for Sale, there’s been little in the way of elite-level competition since. Sale have not even been in the European Cup for the past two seasons.

Of course, this is presuming O’Connor is on the radar. His return home may simply be his own attempt at a long-shot redemption. But the sudden nature of his exit from Sale lends itself to the idea that someone of relevance has suggested he would be in a good position to go for it. Interesting to see what becomes of it.

Meanwhile in England, Eddie Jones, having for so long seemed to be resolute in his determination to ignore Danny Cipriani, Marcus Smith’s injury problem seems to have persuaded Jones that the entirety of the English rugby public is right in thinking Cipriani deserves a chance to impress Jones in person at least.

We’ll know more about how that went when the official training squad is named on Thursday. But here’s a thought: has Jones, ever someone actively looking to mentally manage as well as physically, pulled a masterstroke of motivation on Cipriani, by leaving him out to ensure he stays on the straight and narrow for as long as possible until finally ‘relenting’ and calling him up?

For Cipriani, 31 now, this is surely the final chance. Given that his talent has all too rarely been featured on the biggest stage of all, we’re crossing fingers it works out for him.

And then there’s New Zealand. No recalls for older heads currently abroad here, no controversial figures dividing public opinion knocking at the door. Just six more potential debutants given their chance to shine in the four matches pre-Japan. The production line keeps on turning…

Exit of the prodigal…

It was mentioned in a column this week past how sad it was that Sergio Parisse, after 14 years at Stade Francais, was only afforded a three-line statement announcing his departure from the club.

Little in the way of thanks, little sentiment, little anything in fact, to reflect just how much Parisse has contributed to the club’s success over the past couple of decades.

The rumours of a rift with head coach Heyneke Meyer are well-documented, but the situation was evidently more complicated than just being personal. Parisse’s salary was large but, with Meyer and the club backer looking to invest large sums in rejuvenating the team, his was a salary which needed to be cut in order for the team to stay within salary cap regulations. Initially, the discussion with Parisse was a regrettable but necessary business discussion.

Parisse apparently refused any sort of cut, while also refusing the opportunity to join the coaching staff. He then had a showdown with the club’s backer Hans-Peter Wild, who backed his coaching staff unequivocally after Parisse spoke out against them – especially in the wake of the departure of Julien Dupuy, a coach who for a long time was Parisse’s team-mate, and who was replaced by South African Ricardo Loubser.

Which is fair enough on both sides, but Parisse’s indignance at the situation started festering within the camp and affecting other players, with the result that the club’s season petered out badly and European qualification was missed.

None of which is nice or pleasant, but one thing seems clear: the days of huge pay-days in France are over, and there could be a few more such stories over the next couple of years as the salary and home-grown player regulations kick in ever more.

Loose Pass compiled by Lawrence Nolan

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