‘Grown-up’ James O’Connor gets ringing endorsement for Wallabies recall ahead of Lions series
James O'Connor has been backed to earn a recall to the Wallabies squad ahead of the British and Irish Lions Series.
James O’Connor has been backed for a Wallabies recall after a strong start to his stint with the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific.
Former Wallabies Morgan Turinui and Matthew Burke have endorsed a call-up for O’Connor, who has insight on what it takes to tackle the British and Irish Lions having done so back in 2013.
The 34-year-old has made no secret of his desire to return to the Gold jersey this year and hopes that Joe Schmidt will consider him even though he is plying his trade outside of Australia.
In-form James O’Connor
While Rugby Australia doesn’t prohibit overseas-based players from being selected, Schmidt has been reluctant to do so and has preferred to pick locally-based players.
In fact, he has gone as far as to exclude players who have signed deals abroad, isolating the likes of Langi Gleeson, who is joining Montpellier after this Super Rugby Pacific season.
“That (playing for the Crusaders) was probably the biggest driver but that does play into the fact that I do want to play for the Wallabies in that Lions series,” O’Connor told the GBRANZ podcast in February.
“I am very aware the other guys have got a nod first, but I’m just putting that question out there. If I’m playing well enough and I’m doing a job, why can’t I be in the question still?”
Speaking on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts, Burke hailed O’Connor’s performance off the bench for the Crusaders in testing conditions in Wellington.
The Wallabies veteran had a brief cameo in the first half and scored a try before returning later in the game to see out the victory.
“I quite like what he did, he scored that try – it was quite fortuitous. He gets it off the top he shows a bit of a bit of character, a bit of courage and and gets over,” Burke said.
“I think it has been a really, really good move for him over there as well. He knocked a couple of goals over and again when you’re talking about playing against the Hurricanes – you are not just playing against the team, you’re playing against the conditions – windy Wellington was just incredible.
“There were some kicks that were just non-existent one went about sort of 110 metres, you talk about going the whole way, scrum back on the 22 type number; it’s difficult to control your shots at goals. But again, the Crusaders from where they were last year to where they are now, wow. Chalk and cheese and the way the manner of the way in which they’re playing is is pretty special.”
👉 Wallabies legend drops bombshell regarding Taniela Tupou’s future
‘Grown-up, matured’ playmaker
Turinui believes that the playmaker’s form warrants consideration and while he doesn’t expect him to be an outright selection in the starting line-up, he would certainly add value to the squad.
“James O’Connor has gone from being asked whether he’d be interested in corporate hospitality gigs during the Lions series to high-performance, high-echelon people in Australian rugby considering him in the broader squad,” he said.
“He’s been excellent. ”
Experienced broadcaster Sean Maloney agreed, adding: “You are going to get value from selecting him because he’s got so much to share in and even amongst that squad.”
As Turinui continued: “Now, I’m not talking about starting XV but this is in camp with the Wallabies for a month preparing to win a Lions series, it’s a useful guy to have there that knows the pitfalls of what happened 12 years ago.
“He’s matured, he has grown up, he’s a man now and the little highlight there of putting his body on the line in that little gap, I think that was a great little moment for him, just to show it as well.”
READ MORE: 👉 ‘It’s with my agents now’ – Richie Mo’unga makes stunning British & Irish Lions revelation
