Michael O’Connor is all class, on and off the field.
He kick-started his stellar international career with the all-conquering 1977 Australian Schoolboys that was captained by Tony Melrose, and included the three Ellas, Wally Lewis and Michael Hawker.
The side won all five internationals by 144 points to 29, and the other 11 games by 409 to 68 – taking their awesome tour result to 553 points and giving up just 97 to become the benchmark.
O’Connor was an integral member of that side, as he was in every other side throughout his career in both codes.
He was a 13-cap Wallaby centre from 1979 to 1982, before switching to rugby league with the Dragons for 78 games, and on to captain Manly to the premiership during his 115 games.
Throw in 19 Origins for NSW and 18 for the Kangaroos and O’Connor was a very special footballer.
Not one of the current Wallabies has mastered the basics of pass, catch, support, retain possession and tackle, but O’Connor was in total control of the lot.
His frame was built for speed and he was so superbly balanced that he was poetry in motion, with the likes of Reg Gasnier, and Ken Irvine. There could be no greater comparison, and the reason why he crossed for 122 league tries.
O’Connor also had nerves of steel, with no better example than the second Origin clash in 1991, at the Sydney Football Stadium.
With the score locked at 12-all, O’Connor had a sideline conversion to keep the series alive. Rain was bucketing down in the shadow of full-time, and the leather ball was more like a brick.
In front of 41,520 drenched patrons and millions of live television viewers, O’Connor covered the black dot all the way.
But he was one of the most under-rated goal-kickers of his era, despite landing 424 all up in rugby league club and representative games.
When O’Connor retired from the 13-man code, he returned to rugby as coach of the Australian sevens squad, from 2008 to 2014, claiming a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Prior to that, he was a Wallabies selector in 2006 and 2007, when John Connolly was coach and Scott Johnson his attack coach.
Fast forward a dozen years and O’Connor is about to link with Johnson again as the two new Australian selectors, with current coach Michael Cheika.
It’s an intriguing trio, with all three very strong-willed.
Their first meeting behind closed doors promises to be of epic proportions as they sort each other out.
But it won’t be a level playing field. Johnson is the boss as the newly created director of rugby, making Cheika answerable to him, not the board.
So with O’Connor in tow as well, the Wallabies won’t be selected out of position – as has been the case in the past – which should make Michael Hooper nervous. Which number jersey will Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau wear? Will Quade Cooper be back in contention?
One thing’s for sure, there won’t be a dull moment leading into the Rugby World Cup.
Pickett
Guest
Sheek The Ella Hawker O'Connor combo was just magical. Arguably the greatest in Australia ever.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Whoa, high praise indeed!
Morsie
Guest
Why would he reveal in the press his intent this far out? That would be stupid.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Hi David, I understand that S.Johnson and M.O'Connor will not just rubber stamp whatever M.Cheika wants but to be honest, their hands are tied if Cheika displays his usual pig-headedness. Read another quote from the horse's mouth (M.O'Connor) "The most important thing is we have a healthy discussion and debate about combinations. It’s helpful just to have another set of eyes and perspective. Ultimately Michael
Cheikais responsible for the side and he will pick the players he wants ...". I got this from an article on www.rugbypass.com. Read the last line and tell me what you think. I read the messages as "Cheika will still have his lousy game plans and after discussions with the two other selectors, coach Cheika will simply say "the blokes I have submitted are the players best suited to play by my game plan, thanks for your input." (which I will ignore). I guess even if the 3 selector system stops bonehead selections such as B.Foley at inside centre and (10-penalties guaranteed) T.Latu as hooker then it has achieved something. But I just cannot see any sweeping changes to most of the personnel and no change to the losing game strategy of the last 3 years.sheek
Roar Guru
Hi Stilly, I've always liked Johnson, & I think he would make a great Wallabies head coach.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Very true Sheek. I am hopeful that post-Cheika, Johnson and O'Connor can continue in some role. Still think we need a strong coach to take over. What do you think of the rumour that Johnson will take over the coach role, post Cheika?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well in other post I said I felt Joe Barakat, Jim Williams, Michael Foley and somebody else would be better options that fit the same profile… Somebody also proposed Ben Darwin as not a bad option. I also haven’t even criticized the appointment. I’ve just said there are flaws, and perhaps they need to be accepted as the role will only reasonably get a slightly flawed candidate.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Geoffrey: Let's hope he doesn't get run over by Cheika!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
TWAS: All criticism and no alternate suggestions. I think if you were in a serious position in the ARU you would be part of the problem with nothing to offer but well-rounded carping, sniping and politics! You seem to be someone who thrives on contradicting what others are stating and rarely seem to offer anything original yourself. I used to read your posts with some interest until I saw that theme again and again. Another smart brother who prefers to look down and rarely looks up!
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Also mentions 'old-school mindset' - must be why David is such a fan...LOL
Peter B
Guest
Agree particularly re Sox and SOR, should have been Queenslander but fits GOAT category and no bull type of bloke few times I met him
riddler
Roar Rookie
am an unabashed fan of snoz. superb player that i fractionally remember in union but definitely do in the sky blue.... urrggghhh.. why couldn't he have had just one game for wynnum or redcliffe before going down to manly?? let's see what happens now with cheika and johnston. i hadn't forgotten he had the same role over 10 years ago. couldn't have been too memorable but then again it was kunckles' time.
riddler
Roar Rookie
yep.. here is another.. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/larkham-puts-brumbies-on-notice-with-fardy-omission what i had forgotten was that same week he had announced his move to ireland. seems incredibly childish and petty to do it if that was the case. lost 2 games on the trot, drop one of your best because he has signed somewhere else.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yeah, but Larkham never says he was ‘dropped’ per se. ‘Tactical reasons’ sounds to me like ‘rest’.
riddler
Roar Rookie
here u go mate. am finishing off a drop of red and am procrastinating to start the paperwork of the day. google was easy. larkham drops fardy.. amazing this internet thingy. :) https://www.theroar.com.au/2017/03/08/scott-fardy-sensationally-dropped-brumbies-clash-force/comment-page-2/ read thru the comments. there are some classics in there don't stand the test of time.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I’d be embarrassed if it was more than one now! I did hear rumours that Fardy was perturbed about not being made captain of the Brumbies, and signed overseas soon afterwards. I don’t know the truth of that rumour either.
riddler
Roar Rookie
cheers mate. i remembered something along the lines of that he wanted more from him and that he needed to go away and work on it. to be honest can't really be bothered to search for it!! ;) you have a great memory and are a brumbies fan. so i know you will be correct.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
He was dropped/rested for one match and Larkham reported in the media that it was a rotation. Whether something went on behind the scenes, I wouldn't know. But it was certainly only for a match early in the season that he didn't play.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Great choice and one that nobody seems to have seen coming. I assume Scott Johnson was instrumental in that one? O'Connor was the best Wallaby centre we ever had IMHO, including Tim Horan.
riddler
Roar Rookie
fionn quick question, didn't larkham drop fardy while he was brumbies head coach? i could be wrong but i remember it clearly because i commented here. it wasn't a rotation thing, he was dropped. and then after that season, he left. disclaimer. i wanted him captain of oz after mowen, before moore and hooper. i am very long on fardy.