O’Connor signs with Rebels
By Ryland James, 18 Jun 2011 Ryland James is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- James O’Connor, Melbourne Rebels, Rugby Union
Australian rugby sensation James O’Connor has signed a two-year deal with the Melbourne Rebels and the Australian Rugby Union.
The 20-year-old utility back will link with good friend and Wallabies’ teammate Kurtley Beale, who’s leaving the NSW Waratahs for the Rebels in 2012.
The star backline duo will dramatically strengthen a Rebels line-up that has struggled this season with the competition newcomers in last position on the Super Rugby table.
© AAP 2012Recommend this story.
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- Explore:
- James O’Connor, Melbourne Rebels, Rugby Union
June 18th 2011 @ 2:44pm
Wall-Nut said | June 18th 2011 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
All they need now is a firing Cipriani, who had a great game last night, get their defensive patterns right and this team is very capable of a mid table finish.
The Force seem to win without JOC, still a big lost to the Force.
I think it’s very important for Australian rugby we have a strong Melbourne team. Kurtley Beale and JOC will automatically attract another 2000-3000 people to each game.
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June 18th 2011 @ 3:55pm
Frank O'Keeffe said | June 18th 2011 @ 3:55pm | Report comment
Did anyone hear James O’Connor talking about his “brand”?
Only time will tell if this is a good move for his brand.
June 18th 2011 @ 4:33pm
Atawhai Drive said | June 18th 2011 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
Frank, I first read about the “brand” interview in Wayne Smith’s piece in The Australian, and was hoping O’Connor might have been misquoted. But no, later I saw it on television, and JOC talked about his brand with no apparent irony.
He’s a very young man and can perhaps be forgiven for spouting this rubbish. But the question is, who is getting in his ear? Who in fact is the puppet master skulking in the shadows, putting words in a young man’s mouth and making him look ridiculous?
Just when you thought professional sport had already hit bottom, it plumbs hitherto unimaginable depths of crassness and banality. Where will it end?
June 18th 2011 @ 4:08pm
Johnno said | June 18th 2011 @ 4:08pm | Report comment
James O’connor strikes me in my opinion as a naive young man, who is going threw that over cocky young addut man syndrome. Just like jarred hayne in league and countless other examples of young adult men in pro sport to many examples take to long write lots of them , they go on a good run over inflate there market value, then when they get maybe an injury or opposition teams work them out they are found wanting and not the marquee players they thought they were. The once that do become champions are the ones who prove they have the goods despite opposition teams working there strength sand weakness out, or the ones develop other areas of there game in there chosen sport. But joc i think someone with more adult life experience than him needs to have a chat to him and tell him to stay humble and keep his feet on the ground.
Just listening to him speak he seems so overconfident a little, like he has not taken enough knocks in life or form the opposition haven’t worked him out yet to target him. But SBW whatever else he carried on leaving the NRL to france, and is begin a bit silly with boxing which ot me is hi sonly flaw dong some boxing in a world cup year, but he seems so calm and assertive and takes all the hype all in his stride, he takes all the hype on his shoulders jus tbaout better than anyone have seenits scary how calm he is, paul roos was the same at the swans so clam and reassuring its great ot have, and thats why i am a big sbw fan. But joc, jarred hayne i dint get the same confidence form, but jarred hayne is slowly getting back to some form again. Will Hoppate impresses me a lot to, his dad he said always used to tell him and he is good father despite what he was liken football field at times, but he was the type of player u hated playing against but loved on your own team all teams need an enforcer and have 1, he said something along the lines of don’t be soft on the field , but humble off it, and he will hopoate looks so grounded and clam , i like that , and so does sbw seem that way despite all the hype like i said i have never seen any rugby player in aust or NZ handle the hype like sbw does, it amazes me how reassured he comes across. Bu twill hopoate, dave pock impresses me as aperson, but i am not totally convinced about JOC or quad cooper either for that matter. And barrack barnes and dan carter impresses me a lot to , and so does Kurtly beale, but in my opinion i cant say the same for JOC, QC, or danny cipriani or GITS(matt gitaeu) for that matter.
June 18th 2011 @ 6:25pm
Atawhai Drive said | June 18th 2011 @ 6:25pm | Report comment
Johnno, with the greatest respect, you probably make the occasional good point in there . . . but your total disregard for the rules of grammar, to say nothing of spelling, make your contributions almost impossible to read.
June 18th 2011 @ 7:00pm
Johnno said | June 18th 2011 @ 7:00pm | Report comment
Yes Atawhal Drive i have to improve my spelling and grammar i am just in a rush to after i write i don’t always have the time to edit and paraphrase, sorry but i no i should for what little it is worth here in cyberland make more of an effort sorry once again world lol.
June 18th 2011 @ 7:35pm
p.Tah said | June 18th 2011 @ 7:35pm | Report comment
Johnno, type it into Microsoft Word first (grammar and spelling check) and then paste it into the roar. It helps me.
June 18th 2011 @ 10:17pm
Johnno said | June 18th 2011 @ 10:17pm | Report comment
Good tip p.Tah will try and do that form now on will speed it up thanks mate.
June 18th 2011 @ 4:50pm
dunc said | June 18th 2011 @ 4:50pm | Report comment
Well well well, Bieber has his own brand now. look at the fashion brand market. They can lose their edge in one season, their style is surpassed and if they have a limited range, like JOC, they get dumped by the masses…..
June 18th 2011 @ 5:16pm
Republican said | June 18th 2011 @ 5:16pm | Report comment
‘Brand’ is where it’s at..
This is why I don’t support elite tiers of any sport these days.
The convict and indeed illusion is that tribalism exists. It clearly doesn’t so wI won’t be hoodwinked into buying into O’Connors or anyone’s ‘brand’ for that matter.
Today the Melbourne union Rebels (the name alone is a complete contradiction in terms and farcical) tomorrow the All Blacks!
June 18th 2011 @ 5:48pm
Wall-Nut said | June 18th 2011 @ 5:48pm | Report comment
It’s sport, it’s been happening for a long long long time now. No one knows what’s going on, but if I was in situation I’d take as much as I can get.
He’s worth what someone is willing to pay. And if he’s cocky or over confident so what, it beats being the opposite.
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June 18th 2011 @ 6:57pm
Johnno said | June 18th 2011 @ 6:57pm | Report comment
Yes Repbulcian but tribalism is really just another word for groups coming together in the fought of a common cause, and then there is the level of tribalism is it unified or not or how passionate the tribe are in other words fans. And i think in pro sport tribalism still exists everywhere around the planet tribalism or passionate fans still exsist despite pro sport more moment now, and globalisation, and technological advancement and a whole lot of other factors. eg Barcelona FC if thats not good fans oi don’t no what is, manchester united , and MAN city, ALL blacks, heck even the QLD reds have a good tribe of fans currently. state of Origin brings out passionate tribes of NSWelshman and QLDERS for 3 nights a year.
June 18th 2011 @ 10:23pm
The Cat said | June 18th 2011 @ 10:23pm | Report comment
Better Johnno. Now let’s try for paragraphs.
After you’ve made a point hit the return key.
Then you can make-
Another point?
Then we might be able to follow your points instead of just getting angry at your English teacher.
And this is a rugby, and not an English, blog.
June 18th 2011 @ 10:45pm
Johnno said | June 18th 2011 @ 10:45pm | Report comment
okay cat your making me feel like i am back at school that was 15 years ago lol
June 18th 2011 @ 10:53pm
Cattledog said | June 18th 2011 @ 10:53pm | Report comment
How time flies when you’re having fun, eh Johnno…lol
June 18th 2011 @ 11:55pm
Johnno said | June 18th 2011 @ 11:55pm | Report comment
i NO time flies so true, now your making me feel old cat lol, no just joking 31 32 soon is not old , 30′sis not old in lifeplenty of pro athletes still in 30′s in there prime even ageing like a finds wine. eg leenox lewis at best, simon shaw. Man that bloke was truly awesome in the lion series best player of series especially GAME 2 OF LIONS v south africa 2009 35 and half was amazing, played like paul gallen in origin 2 on wed night. if that man can hobble to the RWC and just skim into that england squad i think he will just about be 38 that will be awesome effort.
June 19th 2011 @ 11:13am
Cattledog said | June 19th 2011 @ 11:13am | Report comment
You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you Johnno. You’re not a professor, are you?
June 19th 2011 @ 5:16pm
MR said | June 19th 2011 @ 5:16pm | Report comment
Johno,keepipthegreayworkuseisalegendindamakin, grammaspamma
June 18th 2011 @ 10:51pm
Kezss said | June 18th 2011 @ 10:51pm | Report comment
I have no idea what JOC means by ‘brand’ – & I’m not sure he does either. I have enjoyed watching him play for the Force, & look forward to his games with the Wallabies, but I hope he finds a more responsible mentor to advise him- shame no-one at the Force took on that role.
June 18th 2011 @ 10:55pm
Cattledog said | June 18th 2011 @ 10:55pm | Report comment
The ‘brand’ is JOC…it’s a strap, originally designed to keep nuts in their place…