James David O’Connor is all the rage in Australian rugby at the moment. And with very good reason. He is arguably the best back we have, which is saying something.
We have some other guys running around like Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Will Genia, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Mark Gerrard, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Mark Burgess, etc.
The “will he or won’t he sign with the Rebels” ongoing intrigue is taking on Dally Messenger proportions. Of course, when Messenger defected to rugby league at its dawn in 1907, it was said he both ensured the bright future of league and consigned union to the sidelines all at the same time.
Already the fate of the Perth Force, where he is currently playing, and the Melbourne Rebels, where he could be going, could be almost a matter of life or death for both clubs, eespecially the Force. For the sake of Australian rugby, I hope O’Connor remains with the Force. They need him more than the Rebels do.
James O’Connor was born on 5 July 1990 on the Gold Coast. His early childhood was in Sydney, where he played junior rugby league, and was a huge Parramatta Eels fan. Fortunately for union, O’Connor spent his last two years of high school at the famous Nudgee College in Brisbane, where he quickly adapted to union and represented Australian schoolboys in 2007.
In 2008, O’Connor was signed to the fledgling Force franchise and made his Wallabies debut later that year against Italy at 18 years and four months, the second youngest Australian to be selected for his country.
Incidentally, the youngest selected to represent Australia, was very similar to O’Connor in may ways. James Flynn was also a Nudgee boy, and Queensland born. He represented the Wallabies in 1914 at just 18 years and one month!
He actually captained the Wallabies in the 2nd test against the All Blacks, and remains our youngest captain ever. Like O’Connor, Flynn was a utility player, being able to cover scrumhalf, flyhalf and inside centre, where he played his 2 tests for Australia. His career was unfortunately cut short by the Great War. After the war, he decided to remain in Brisbane and play league rather than relocate to Sydney, where the only rugby union was played until 1928.
O’Connor is extremely fast over the 100 metres of a rugby pitch. He also possesses explosive speed off the mark, has great positional sense and anticipation, the product of being a utility player.
He is yet to find his ideal position, and I myself am at a loss to know where that might be. Inside centre seems his preferred option, so that might well be how it pans out.
But 30 years ago, there was another O’Connor playing for the Wallabies. And he was just as good, perhaps better than James.
Michael David O’Connor was born on 30 November 1960 at Nowra on NSW’s south coast. He attended Phillip College in Canberra, from where he won Wallaby selection in 1979 to Argentina.
He made his Test debut just one month before his 19th birthday, and played 12 Tests from 1979-82. After playing both Tests against Scotland in 1982, O’Connor declared his unavailability for the Wallabies tour of NZ and later in the year announced he had signed to play rugby league with St.George Dragons.
Of all the players who defected to league, no defection upset me more than that of O’Connor. I could even cope with Mark Ella retiring ridiculously early at age 25, but O’Connor was gone from union at just 21! He had only played six Tests with Mark Ella, and even crazier still, the midfield combo of Ella-Hawker-O’Connor only played in the 10-12-13 positions just four times, plus twice more with either O’Connor or Hawker playing on the wing.
This extraordinary trio appeared together just six times, yet their effect on the world of rugby would have you think they had been together in 50 or more Tests. As it was, Ella and Hawker each played only 25 Tests apiece.
O’Connor had been on the 1977/78 Australian schoolboys tour of Japan, UK, Ireland and Holland, where the names of many future great rugby union and league players like the Ella brothers, Michael O’Connor, Michael Hawker, Tony Melrose and Wally Lewis first came to our attention. O’Connor remains one of the most beautifully balanced runners on a rugby pitch I have ever seen.
Like James, he had explosive speed and acceleration, could step off both feet, and had a nose for the gap. Indeed, his nickname was ‘Snoz’, in reference to this prominent feature of his.
Watching O’Connor succeed spectacularly in league was a bittersweet experience. While it was gratifying to know that he could hold his own in rugby league as well as rugby union, it also reminded of how things might have been had he remained in union.
O’Connor took a while to find his feet in league. He played for St. George in the 1985 grand final, the Dragons being edged out 6-7 by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. In this same year year, he also made both his State of Origin and Kangaroos debuts.
In his first State of Origin match, O’Connor scored all of NSW’s 18 points from two tries and five goals – in the rain. In his last year of Origin in 1991, again in teeming rain, he famously kicked a last minute sideline conversion to win the second Origin match.
In 1988, he scored tries in all three Origin matches. All up, O’Connor appeared in 19 out of a possible 22 Origin matches in 1985-91. He also represented the Kangaroos 17 times from 1985-91, being a member of Wally Lewis’ unbeaten 1986 touring side to Britain and France.
In 1987, O’Connor transferred to Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, immediately winning a premiership that year. He captained the Sea Eagles from 1990 until his retirement at the end of 1992. O’Connor didn’t take up goal-kicking in a big way until he transferred to league.
Like the aforementioned James O’Connor and James Flynn, Michael was extremely versatile, and was at home in any of the three-quarter wing or centre positions. In union, his best position was outside centre, while in league at rep level, he played equally brilliantly on the wing.
The sporting tragedy of the 1980s, is that Mark Ella, Wally Lewis and Michael O’Connor weren’t seen together in Wallaby jerseys playing at 10-12-13. It had probably happened on the schoolboys tour of 1977/78, and it would have been something to see circa 1981-87.
Throw in David Campese and Brendan Moon on the wings, Roger Gould at fullback and Nick Farr-Jones at scrumhalf, and you have a backline that was certified to grace the hallowed fields of heaven, let alone earth! The strength of a great side is often underlined by those who miss out. So consider this potential second backline from around the same time (mid-80s): Glen Ella, Peter Grigg or Matt Burke, Gary Ella or Andy Slack, Mike Hawker or Tony Melrose, Mitchell Cox, Michael Lynagh, Phil Cox.
Today, Michael is in charge of Australian rugby’s Sevens’ program, a very appropriate post for him to hold. Was Michael O’Connor better than James O’Connor?
I would say definitely yes, but then young James still has a decade of playing union and/or league ahead of him…
Mick
Guest
I had the absolute pleasure to play with Brett Papworth, Steve Tuynman and Ian Williams in club rugby from under 11's through to grade rugby.They were fantastic players in their position and I remember fondly of many a touch football session where Brett would side step in his magical way through the team! I was lucky enough to grow up with Brett and his family only 4 houses away and played a lot of rugby with him and as we grew older had the opportunity to play against him. He was the most dynamic player of his generation and compare him to Benjie Marshall of today. His time in rugby league was tarnished and his injuries were a shame that he had to retire so early. Without doubt he exhibited skills that wre beyond belief and if you compared him to O'Connor today, Brett would stand head and shoulders above him.
Damo
Guest
What I like about the whole thread is the goodwill across the two codes- Lewis' compliments for Ella, O'Connor's return to rugby coaching after a huge league career etc. It's a long way from the siege mentality of the footy show.
Glenn Condell
Guest
'And still no places for Ian Williams, Brett Papworth, David Knox, Dominic Vaughan' All 4 would have made my third team at the least, though I was in my first few years of watching union then and the memories are now a bit patchy. I do recall the Frog coach at one point waxing lyrical about Papworth and some of his stepping is still in the memory banks - Drew Mitchell in the last few years taking huge left foot leaps on the run to bamboozle defenders has looked very Papworthian. Pity he wasn't as robust as a Horan or an O'Connor. That top backline would have been something to see, with Lewis providing midfield starch, some physicality and mongrel and sheer will-to-win aggression to go with the less confrontational attacking geniuses around him. Lewis always said Ella was the best player he ever saw, but I was intrigued to see the following comment in an article in the NZ Herald the other day from ex All Black centre Grahame Thorne, talking about Conrad Smith: '"Conrad Smith, as a thinking player, can put players into gaps and also tidy up any s*** left. And that happens - things go wrong. The Australian Wally Lewis was the greatest rugby player I ever saw, not least because when he stuffed up he fixed up the mess. Conrad has that ability.' http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10718090
sheek
Guest
JohnB, I'm sure Rochey was not on a downward slide. If you recall, there was a massive growth spurt in players around the early 80s. Although David Codey played on the opposite side of the scrum, he effectively pushed Roche out of the team, with Poidevin moving to open side. Roche was under 6', while Codey was 6'4. Roche was simply overtaken by players as mobile as him but taller (Poidevin & Miller both 6 feet or more) & heavier. Also, David Hillhouse made a one year comeback in 1983, partnering Steve Williams at lock. Yet all 4 of the 1984 locks on the grand slam tour were taller & much heavier than the spring-heeled Hillhouse. Nigel Holt was 6'5, Williams himself 6'6, Steve Cutler 6'7 & Bill Campbell 6'8. D'Arcy's defection to league was disastrous for him personally. Although the Wallabies were lucky to find Topo Rodriguez as his replacement. Funny what happens in life. Had D'Arcy remained in union, he would probably be celebrated as one of our greatest Wallaby props, while Top might have been content to just play club rugby in Australia. However, Topo's contribution to making our scrum better, apart from his own physical contribution, but also the mechanics of the scrum, cannot be underestimated.
Monty String
Guest
You're our resident historian Sheek and please keep the posts coming re players and games of yesteryear. Love to see one on the ABs and the Boks. Not certain about having Tony Shaw in a dream team, too pugnacious. He'd give away penalties. Brendan Moon, "the one man stampede," got hurt coming in from his wing close to the scrum on that GS tour. Grigg it was who took the backwards running intercept against the Scots. He unloaded to Bird who passed to Campo who ran 80 yards to score. Even the Scots applauded. Williams was brought over as a finisher. He was the fastest guy in Australian rugby but missed original selection because there was too much talent ahead of him. Ian later played in Japan I believe. Now we not only have another O'Connor in rugby, but another Williams. SB is nowhere near as fast as Ian was but he's a hell of a lot bigger.
JohnB
Guest
Occurs to me my previous post might be taken as expressing the view that O'Connor was an ordinary league convert. Apologies for that - not what I meant at all, and it would be a ludicrous thing to say. I had in mind Tony D'arcy in making the comment - both he and Chris Roche were very, very good in rugby, but not unreasonable to say they weren't in league. At the time D'arcy went to league he had the rugby world at his feet - but even without hindsight it wasn't hard to see that his physique wasn't that of a league player, and what he was good at wouldn't translate. Roche on the other hand had perhaps peaked in rugby and been overtaken by Simon Poidevin (with Jeff Miller coming up on the outside, and the growing tendency to pick open and blind side flankers also going against him) - maybe he was more on the downhill slope than I thought at the time and that accounts for his lack of success in league (which surprised me back then as I recall). O'Connor (and D'arcy for that matter) went to Qld Uni in 80/81 doing human movements. In those simpler times he played in the intra-mural lunchtime touch comp (as did Michael Lynagh and various other notables). He wasn't a bad touch player - much as Greg Chappell could bat a bit.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Great article Sheek you do your research well. Michael O'Connor was a great loss at a time when we lost many good players to league. I remember not being too surprised that he went but the pain of the loss was with me for a fair while. Still the Wallabies were building into something and soon we had other backs to roar about like Campese, Ella, Moon, Gould (one of the best FB's) and so history was written. The forwards were another story and apart from Loane and Rodriguez we didn't have too many stand outs at that time. We had to get into the 90's for the forwards to show up. Wonder if young O'Connor will write his own history at this world cup? Would love to see it.
JohnB
Guest
Teachers Norths back then Sheek. He and Chris Roche (another 77 Aust schoolboy, very, very good Wallaby and average league convert) took them to the Brisbane GF in 81 - losing to one of the great Brothers sides.
p.Tah
Guest
Great article Sheek. Thoroughly enjoyed it. It got me thinking of an article comparing players with the same surname. It would amuse me if someone wrote one on Welsh players called Jones. I've been impressed with Michael O'Connor as the Aussie 7s coach. He is a great talent spotter.
edgo
Guest
Really enjoyed your article sheek. I grew up in canberra in the 70's/early 80s and thought oconnor was a freak. As schoolboys we used to practise a backline move named oconner (which he apparently created) in which five eighth throws cut out to f/back on burst between 2 centres doing handstands (apparently this would distract oppostion centres and create gap!). Never tried it at 1st 15 but always wanted to in honour of Mick.
Knuckles love child
Guest
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Knuckles love child
Guest
Wally Lewis played number 8 in the Aust Schoolboys rugby tour to the UK. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Very articulate and a very informative article. The comparisons are great and your opinion is perfect. I can well remember Michael O'Connor playing in Queensland all the girls thought he was the ant's pants. Us blokes thought he was a pretty handy rugby player. My young bloke had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of years ago getting a man of match award at 14 in the U 15 State Champs and Michael O'Connor was handing the awards out. I said to him when he got back to me standing in the crowd "do you know who that was" he said "who" I explained that M O was a dual international. He said to me he was a nice bloke and said nice things to him when giving him the award. So not only is he a great player but a really nice bloke. You would hope that young James turns out as nice in the future and has a great career like Michael.
sheek
Guest
Attawhai Drive, Scott Minto beat me to it. Mark Burgess was a NZ cricket batsman from the late 60s to late 70s, even captaining his country in a number of tests. Re the bit of football, I wonder if Scott is thinking of Bob Burgess, the long-haired, blond ABs flyhalf from 1971-73?
sheek
Guest
Brett, Great clarity. That was a mighty kick from the sideline with the old leather balls in teeming rain. I don't think any one seriously thought O'Connor would kick that conversion. Yes, O'Connor played his first senior rugby with Canberra Royals in 1979-80, then headed to Queensland where he played with Brisbane's Norths Eagles (1981-82), then back to Sydney with St.George Dragons (83-86) & Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (87-92). In his combined union & league career, O'Connor managed to play for ACT, Queensland & NSW!
Chris of Vic
Roar Pro
Sheek, great article. I grew up in AFL territory, so have no memory watching Michael play. I have only seen highlights of the ’84 Wallabies so have had to rely on books, such as ‘Ella’ which I finished reading earlier this year and documentaries such as ‘The Rise (?and Rise) of Australian Rugby’. Looking at that potential backline really makes the mouth water. The depth that Aus Rugby had developed through their coaching and talent identification programs in the ‘70s and early ‘80s really should receive a lot of credit. As well as guys like Mark Loane who were sick of losing developing a hard edge, one great quote of Loane’s that I love is: “Mediocrity sh-ts me” -----------
Scott Minto
Guest
Cricket and a bit of Football as well.. (Showing my age now!)
BennO
Guest
Great article sheek, thanks for posting it.
Atawhai Drive
Guest
Michael O'Connor is now 50? That does make me feel old. I have fond memories of the 3rd Bledisloe Cup Test in 1980, at the SCG. The Wallabies won 26-10 and the Ella-Hawker-O'Connor comibination, set free by a halfback with a decent pass (Peter Carson), ran riot that day. The All Blacks' five-eighth was Nicky Allen, subject of another recent post. Sheek can be forgiven for the minor error of referring to "Mark" Burgess. Triva time: there was an international sportsman called Mark Burgess; what sport did he play and where did he come from?
sheek
Guest
Ionz, By 1984 Hipwell would have been 36, most probably too old! I would say Hippy is on a par with F-J as the best wallaby scrumhalf I've seen with my own eyes. Hippy certinly was more used to making something good out of bad ball than F-J ever was, mainly because he played behind so many weak packs in his career! For interest, Hipwell toured Britain, Ireland & France in 1966/67 at just 18 years of age as Ken Catchpole's understudy. He then toured again in 1975/76 as captain, & had a 3rd tour in 1981/82.