Seeing as how wunderkind James O’Connor can’t seem to find a home at any of the five Aussie rugby Franchises, I reckon he’d be a great buy for an NRL team, especially the Broncos.
This deal could be a win-win for both parties. James gets to play top-level rugby without all the pressure. Sure, he’d be under scrutiny as a high profile union convert, but in a league boasting Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Adam Reynolds, etc., the big headlines would diminish after a few rounds.
This would give him time to mature as a person and a player. What’s more, he’d also have a chance to learn from some league greats.
A secondary benefit might be the effect upon his ego. He’d be out of his depth and would have to recognise the need to learn fast. That would have to be a humbling experience. If not, playing against the great halves in the NRL must certainly be.
In union O’Connor is hyped as a ball player, and league is just the place to hone such talents given that it is a simpler game.
Absolutely no offence is meant here by any stretch.
League is a subtle game which demands consummate skill, timing and vision.
With the six tackle rule which encourages riskier use of the ball and guarantees possession after a tackle and the absence of line-outs, rucks and mauls, ball players are ensured a bigger role in the outcome of games.
This is the obvious function of the six-tackle rule anyway.
The luxury of guaranteed possession in league, if you can survive being hit by an Andrew Fifita or Josh Papalii, would be a boon for O’Connor.
For the Rebels and Wallabies, if he does not see an opportunity right away, the percentage play is to look for contact or kick downfield.
In league he can take a risk without worrying about a turnover. In fact, when I watch him in carry the ball on a rugby pitch he runs more like a league player, in that his first instinct is to take the line on.
In 2013, the Broncos have excellent set completion, metres gained and field position. What they lack is a magic man to throw the last pass or place that deft kick to generate tries.
James O’Connorcould be just that player.
Okay, sure, he has no league experience, but Test match rugby would have given him greater polish than several first grade halves I could think of.
I mentioned above, the inherent nature of league means that ball players get their hands on the ball much more often than their union cousins.
As a union fly-half with league experience in my youth I can vouch for that personally. Again, definitely no slight on either code, they are different and are meant to be so.
That means that James O’Connor could squeeze a great deal of development and experience into just one or two seasons.
Finally on a purely cynical note, two seasons down the track James O’Connor may well return to union twice the player he left it.
Though the growing trend to cut back and forth is not something I generally applaud, I think the trend will only grow.
If the great players can make it both codes and give their all, well maybe that is for the greater good.
After all, for every code crossing flop, there is a Sonny Bill Williams or a Brad Thorn.
So come on Broncos, get the cheque book out and bring a Brissie boy home.
He might only stay 24 months, but then so will Scott Prince and James O’Connor might just prove the better investment.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I watched an NRL game yesterday at Remondis Stadium ,many occasions the ball passed through more than two sets of hands.The ball is in play far more often.Plenty of tries score,nil from bombs.Two from grubber kicks.One from a kick and chase.The rest out of a total of 8 tries by ball in hand involving plenty of ball movement. Check the number of hands involved in the Storm v Warriors game.No wonder they got 20,000 plus to attend. Both codes are about possession FHS,without it ,you have little if any chance. Riskier game!!! Draw a comparison with actual tackles and their effect.You risk being tackled into touch,being stripped of the ball.losing it in a gang tackle,not having rests such as lineouts or scrums resetting,risk losing it under the high ball,risk missing an attacking player due to lesser numbers on the field,risk losing the ball in the many offloads .You have nowhere to hide in rl.
Brian
Guest
I would disagree about Rugby League being a riskier game. Union is more about possession, league about position. League is all about no mistakes as it leads to the opposition being down your end trying to score or get repeat sets of plays. This is borne out by the number of tries scored off kicks. Just watch a League game and union game then count up the number of times the ball is passed by more than 2 players in a play and your see what I mean by League not being the riskier game.
oikee
Guest
Hey cool kids, forget the chips on both shoulders, here have a hashie instead, hehe.
madrid john
Guest
Thanks for that Jack.
Jack
Guest
He is from the Gold Coast. He would've played juniors down there before going to Nudgee. "It came down to the Reds, Force and Parra when I was 17 at boarding school. A few months earlier I might have gone to league but I'd just played for Aussie Schoolboys in rugby and that was it for me." James O'Connor Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wallabies/former-queensland-origin-player-john-dowling-tells-how-brisbane-broncos-missed-out-on-james-oconnor/story-e6frf55l-1226666661239#ixzz2a9jkgLXh
Jack
Guest
Does this help clear it up: "It came down to the Reds, Force and Parra when I was 17 at boarding school. A few months earlier I might have gone to league but I'd just played for Aussie Schoolboys in rugby and that was it for me." James O'Connor Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wallabies/former-queensland-origin-player-john-dowling-tells-how-brisbane-broncos-missed-out-on-james-oconnor/story-e6frf55l-1226666661239#ixzz2a9jkgLXh
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You stated quite clearly the NRL crowd average was 10,000. You either admit that is wrong ,or carry on showing you have not a clue.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Again you are not reading my post,for the 20th time.I clearly stated he played both codes before he went to Nudgee.Never once suggesting you nor anyone else say he did not. I am also aware he was given the cold shoulder by junior rl {Parra )for example,so I have no idea why you have your pants twisted in a knot..
Emric
Guest
Oikee I really must start drinking the same water as you.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
And Parra punted Paul Gallen for being too small as well.
Davey
Guest
What are you on about? I clearly making a correction that he wen't to Nudgee. He chose Nudgee and rugby union after been given the cold shoulder by rugby league according to his parents in an article on the couriermail.
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
super rugby fans on Wikipedia keep a pretty good attendance record, NRL fans don't..rarely does a super rugby game outside of Australia get less than 10000 fans...Melbourne rebels fans get the least which is around 10000-13000...and now that JOC has been named in the wallaby squad, we can pretty much expect him to STAY in union...
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
What's a difference of 18 wingers really,when our friend tries to make a point.Close enough is good enough apparently
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Slater can tackle ,in contrast to Campese.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
On his own website,it states he played both rugby league and union as a junior ,before he attended Nudgee. IOW he has a pedigree in both,and could not continue with league at Nudgee,for the usual obvious reason.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I repeat one more time for Davey and his shadow Vhanaval,where did he get the figure for NRL crowds?. Davey your mate brought up the fact that Oz crowds would be lower,and the other countries helped bring it up.Don't blame me,and read the posts properly. He hasn't even responded to my question,show me where the numbers of NRL players in France and Japan are larger than the ESL,which he stated. he is allowed to make ridiculous comments,and gets through unmoderated.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
What has that to do with Vhavnal , stating he was the best in his position ?Players have been called up to origin before and have been duds.Tahu was not the best player in his position.
Davey
Guest
Can you name those 15 Aussies playing in Japan then?
madrid john
Guest
How did you find out about that? Not saying you're wrong, but seeing as he boarded at Nudgee, not sure how he got down to Burleigh? Also wouldn't say he was a league failure either. B Barba got punted from Broncos system for being too small as well. Makes you wonder why they didn't punt Alfie Langer.
madrid john
Guest
As fair as i know it was all Union Bulldog. Wikipedia says he boarded at Nudgee College. I am a Brisbane boy and i can assure you, at Nudgee they play Union and produce more Wallabies than any other school north of the Tweed.