In 2010, NBA superstar and global basketball phenomenon, Lebron James, told fans that he was walking away from the Cleveland Cavaliers. The reason: to win championships.
An Ohio local, Cleveland had hung their hopes on James delivering a championship. However, the lure of championship glory proved too strong for James (along with a considerable amount of cash).
Only roughly twelve months later, Australian rugby had a similar situation. Young Wallaby whiz kid, James O’Connor, confirmed his impending departure from the Western Force, saying, “I want what’s best for myself and building my rugby brand.”
While there was less spectacle than LeBron’s announcement, O’Connor’s comments had the same audacity and confident arrogance. O’Connor was “taking his talents” to Super Rugby’s rookies, the Melbourne Rebels.
The Force were obviously and rightly devastated, having carefully crafted O’Connor from schoolboy protégé into the bright young thing of Australian professional rugby.
He was the super-talented utility that the club’s fortune could be, and was being built around, and who every young rugby kiddie in Perth wanted to be like. It undoubtedly helped that O’Connor still looked like a classmate.
The Rebels, on the other hand, were cock-a-hoop. With a smooth sales pitch and the corporates of the Victorian capital pooling together a suitable shedload of cash, not to mention securing good mate Kurtley Beale, they had their man.
And now it’s time for O’Connor to deliver.
But it’s actually a funny situation that O’Connor and the Rebels – and Beale, for that matter – find themselves in.
The Rebels are still only in the their second year of existence, and after a inaugural season produced the wooden spoon and the worst defence in recent memory, no-one really expects much of them again in 2012.
Early season predictions have them finishing anywhere from an optimistic eighth overall, to a harsh-but- maybe-fair consecutive spoon.
Even the Rebel Army, the noisiest bunch of supporters in Australia (and who seem to have spent the off-season quoting me in various mediums), have been strangely silent on their expectations.
But surely 2012 isn’t going to be another year of “winning doesn’t really matter to us”? Surely the time to move on from the “only just starting” attitude is now?
If the Rebels are going to become a serious prospect in future Super Rugby seasons, then they can’t just be content to exist, as it seems the Lions and to a degree, the Cheetahs have done over the competition’s history.
Simply put, the Rebels need to start playing smarter, defending tougher and more importantly, remove the inconsistency that plagued them last year. A win or gallant loss would invariably lead to a thumping loss the following week, and that’s not exactly what you’d want to build a club around.
For O’Connor, that means trying to do less for himself on the field, and placing more trust in his outside men. The Rebels want him to play inside centre to a) take the attacking pressure off Danny Cipriani and b) to provide more attacking options and unpredictability into the midfield.
It shouldn’t be hard to be that attacking linkman. For all of Cipriani’s defensive frailties, his vision and passing game is among the very best in the Australian conference.
Cipriani will easily be able to get the ball to O’Connor where it needs to be. From there, it’s up to O’Connor to capitalise on the opportunities created for him.
With the likes of evergreen Rebels skipper, Stirling Mortlock, Beale and the likes of Mitch Inman, Lloyd Johansson, Lachie Mitchell, and Cooper Vuna out wide, there’s plenty of attack. Richard Kingi and Mark Gerrard also provide strike-power.
The Rebels threw bucketloads of cash at O’Connor to make him the main man. It’s time for him to live up to our expectations and his abundant talent.
Super Rugby aside, 2012 also needs to be the season in which O’Connor lays out his Wallaby aspirations too. If he does indeed want to see more midfield action in a gold jersey, then it all starts with a standout season in the navy blue.
So there might not be a lot of pressure or expectation on you, James, but if you are serious about building your rugby brand, you’ll shine in Melbourne. Everyone is watching.
blues recovery
Guest
Trial match form is dangerous , however the Rebels really should have beaten the crusaders last week and the saders have onl;y one change from that team playing against the blues tonight. O'Connor was outstanding in that match and for those who think he cant beat a player your kidding. Go on to the Rebels website and check out the try he scored from a scrum beating Andy Ellis and Keiran Reid with amazing footwork. Only a couple of players in world ruigby capable of scoring that try and they both play for the rebels
Brett McKay
Expert
JIggles, I'd agree with that assessment of O'Connor (and I reckon Hoy above is of the same opinion), and this just adds to the confusion of why many pundits are all too willing to pigeon-hole O'Connor as a back-three Wallaby only. Surely he showed enough in the midfield in late 2011 to show that he's got a future there?
mania
Guest
true justin. always believed that brains will beat brawn everyday of the week and twice on sundays. horan i reckon was heavier and stockier than joc though and probably not as fast. horan is one fo the greats though and would make the aus side in todays game. yeah i'm thinking of those occasions though where brains just wont help and u have to punch the ball up the middle over the adv line. those situations tho are pretty rare not convinced joc is a power runner but i could be proven wrong. in centres the d line is tight and your man will be coming at you front on with joc having nowhere to use his step. he'll be more a sitting duck running out of centre and have to confront his man more often.
MikeG
Roar Rookie
Nice P.tah!!
p.Tah
Guest
Shhhh.. Let's forget about that game and move on... Nothing to see here... Oh look a bird
dc
Guest
LukeR, I am a Canes fan and I was in Melbourne for a trip and was at that game... The Canes were woeful in the second half, but i was so buzzed by the Rebel army, I really enjoyed the game! I also remember the Rebels forwards ripped into it. ok the Canes are rubbish....but....good signs.... However, i still think on the issue of capitulations, the Tahs take the 2011 gong for their loss to the Cheetahs...
sheek
Guest
KPM, The Rebels want to get their values, their traditions, their legacy, all bedded down before they think of winning the comp. I think this is eminently sensible. Having too much success too early can be counter-productive. Although this didn't hurt the Brumbies. Anyway, as they say in the building game, get your footings & foundations right, & the rest will take care of itself, so to speak.
LukeR
Guest
You said it Brad, it's that eclectic pack of theirs.... I was at the ground to watch them take apart the Hurricanes last year in what had to be up there with the biggest capitulations in Super rugby history (who would want to be a Canes supporter?). The pack got some confidence going and they really looked good... But it's the grind that worries me....do they have any?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
JOC is probably the best 12 running around in Australia right now. I can't remember him not making metres over the advantage line. However he isn't a 10 as he has problems setting up a play suggesting his vision is a bit limited. Usually he is only good at exploiting opportunities for himself. He will probably shine at 12 all year behind a struggling pack and come International selections Dean's will pick him as a prop as we need "ball playing props." All this is redundant when talking about the wallabies of course. As DS rightly points out its the selections and game plan of the forward pack that is letting us down, not our backs.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I was interested to see that as well Brett. Of course Campo was the one winger to buck trends and played more like a current day league fullback than a union winger. O'Connor did that to a lesser extent, but I just can't help but feel that if he learned 12 from the get go, both he, and the wallaby backline would be better for it now.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Apart from Pocock is the Force Backrow even quality? of the starting teams this week I wouldn't have McCalman in front of Schatz/Samo, Palu, or Mowan/Vaea. additionally I wouldn't have Hodgson(as a 6) before Higganbotham, Dennis, or Kimlin.
Brett McKay
Expert
to be honest Steve, I'd like to see the Rebels do well before having to consider what will happen if things come apart! I don't want to death-ride anyone if I can avoid it..
Justin
Guest
Tim Horan, one of the great centres was a very similar build to JOC, in fact perhaps "skinnier". No issue for him and JOC has power in spades. Dont let a lack of mass conclude he he not enough power...
Brett McKay
Expert
DC, it will be the "reading the game, linking with support" elements that I'll be interested to see how O'Connor works in combination with Cipriani. The suggestions from within are that they are getting on well together and that a combination of sorts is already evident, and that's a dood sign. Of course it counts for nothing if the Rebels' pack cannot provide the go-forward required..
Big Steve
Guest
Nice article brett, We generally have quite a few wingers in AUS rugby. We havent had anyone lock down the 12 Jersey consistnetly since Gits with Larkham. Hopefully JOC plays well there for the rebels, and we can find a long term 12. But that really relies on Cipriani holding himself together for an extended period. I thought you might have considered what will happen i the season really comes apart for the rebels. The significant defensive improvment in the trials hints that they should be ok. It will be interesting to see how Joc and Beale cope. especially if Cipriani goes off the rails. Hopefully it wont happen, but interesting none the less. And it wont take too many injuries for heads to drop.
Redb
Roar Guru
I was agreeing with you. :)
DC of nz
Guest
Both Beale and Bieber are electric on their feet and in open play when the game is open and the opposing defence a little suspect. both can be terrific goal kickers. Bieber is the better tackler. I will be interested to see if they have improved their weaknesses. reading the game, linking with support, the sleights of hand that great playmakers are consistent in...
Bearfax
Guest
O'Connor and Beale. Both fit and they are an awesome proposition. I'll watch their team just to see these magicians spellbind the opposition. But is it enough. Not sure that the rest of the team are yet championship material. And yes O'Connor has to ditch the attitude otherwise it will disrupt on the field....we know he is an exceptional talent...a little humility wouldnt go astray though.
Brett McKay
Expert
Hoy, I was interested to see David Campese offering the same line of thought on JOC yesterday, that wing was his best spot. But I'd reckon he's shown enough whenever he's played second receiver (be that wearing 11, 12, or 15) to show that he could become very handy in that position. Just as he could for the Rebels..
Wilson
Guest
"O’Connor was “taking his talents” to Super Rugby’s rookies, the Melbourne Rebels." He had no choice as the Force ditched him when his obnoxious attitude got too much. No man is bigger than the club. The Force were right to ditch him. O'Connor had already turned down the Rebels when the Force pulled the pin on their offer. O'Connor had to go back to the Rebels with his tale between his legs and ask to accept the offer he had already rejected. He is arrogant and mismanaged by his nightmare father. Good luck with Brand O'Connor Rebels. He is your star and your issue now.