Former Wallaby James O’Connor will make his long-awaited return to Australian rugby almost immediately after reportedly signing a new deal with the Queensland Reds.
While the deal is yet to be officially confirmed, Fox Sports have reported the 28-year-old will make his return to the Reds next Super Rugby season, making him eligible to play for the Wallabies straight away.
It’s expected that national coach Michael Cheika will bring him into the squad for the opening Rugby Championship match against South Africa on July 21.
If selected, it will be a very short turnaround for O’Connor, with the squad being announced this week then flying out to South Africa a couple of days later.
O’Connor’s return to the Reds marks the first time he has played Super Rugby since his one-year stint with the same club in 2015, when he returned from Toulon in search of a World Cup berth that same year. After failing to make the squad, he was released from his two-year contract after just the first season.
His decision this time around to leave the Sale Sharks after two seasons follows a very similar suit, as the 28-year-old hopes to push his way into the World Cup equation later this year.
Despite debuting as the second-youngest Wallay in history, he still only has the one World Cup under his belt, having earned his first Test cap one year after the 2007 tournament, then missing the final squad for the aforementioned 2015 Cup. He last played for the Wallabies in 2013.
The signing is a boost for the Reds, who were eager to cover the departure of captain Samu Kerevi to Japanese rugby.
While Kerevi’s absence at the Reds opens up a huge opportunity for O’Connor in the centres, where he’s been playing with Sale, the same can’t be said for his Wallabies chances. Kerevi is still available to take his expected spot in the starting XV for the World Cup, leaving O’Connor wrestling for positions elsewhere in the backline, or simply trying to pocket a bench spot.
The upcoming Rugby Championship is shaping up to be the litmus test for his return to the fold, with Chieka expected to play around with combinations and lineups in preparation for the Cup in Septemeber.
If O’Connor fails to make it though, he does have plans elsewhere in the Australian setup, having initially shown interest in a run at the Australian Sevens side for the Olympics next year.
The 44-Test utility was originally in talks with Sevens coach Tim Walsh earlier in the year about joining the fray for the World Rugby Sevens Series and a chance to join the Olympic team in Tokyo, an option that is still very much on the table if he fails to reach his goals for the 15-man game.
Regardless of which national side he ends up representing over the next nine months, it’s a win for Australian Rugby in a time where players are leaving left, right and centre.
Ex force fan
Guest
Agree it is a dumb to allow players that didn't play a single game for an Australian team this year to be selected for the Wallabies in RWC year .... however this is RA and should not come as a surprise.
Jacko
Guest
Connor why do you think a 10 min Utube highlights package of a 10 year career shows anything at all?.......
Harry Jones
Expert
Game changer. Excellent pressure kicker. Muscled up. Really good form.
Massive Ferguson
Guest
Sawn afterDavid? Unparalleled stupidity! Blew a hole in the AB's no D'head policy. Wallaby D'heads might be shiz at rugby but at least they can spell......they can spell can't they?
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Why do we need three playmakers again? :D
Olly
Roar Rookie
You mean Sam Carter who is the 2nd most successful lineout option in the comp, 2nd most successful tackles behind Hooper in the Comp... But Mr Flop in contact Simmons is your man....He has brought so much success to every team he has played for....Where did NSW come this year?
CUW
Roar Rookie
was not so fly at 15 for sale. when they thought Swan Ashton was better at 15 .....
Olly
Roar Rookie
By watching him play.....
Gishan De Soyza
Roar Pro
JOC happens to play 12 for Sale but also can play 15 better than any of the available options and in a few other positions too. That is the reason he is called a once in a generation player. And yes S. Higinbotham wont be selected but he should. The third back rower needs to have ball carrying plus line out ability to support Pooper.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He's a guy that's deserving of a couple of caps when top choice players are injured. Similar to Parsons at the Blues. Not quite test level, but wouldn't perform poorly if selected.
dazell
Roar Rookie
Glad to see someone mention Fitzpatrick, he has no X factor but does everything well with few errors or penalties and always seems calm.
Harrison
Roar Rookie
Fair point, although I’d argue rewarding good form at super rugby level instead of gifting jerseys to the usual gang of under-performers should be a tactic we try before resorting to reformed “bad boys”.
Harrison
Roar Rookie
I agree with giving everyone a fair go, my point is merely that he's been given several. Plus every person you just mentioned has toiled away in super rugby and performed consistently (or semi-consistently in Quade's case), while O'connor has yet to prove he's little more than the Justin Beiber of provincial Australia rugby. Having him back is great for depth, but I still think he should be made to play a full trouble-free season of super rugby before he walks into a gold jersey.
PeterK
Roar Guru
that would be fair enough if the side was a winning side. The fact is it is a losing side , all t1 nations have a recent winning record against them except for France. They struggle to beat Italy, Fiji and so on. Clearly you need to grasp at straws and try new players otherwise struggle to make it out of the pool rounds.
Jamie
Guest
Doesn`t look good for Samu Kerevi if JOC is picked.Cheika thinks JOC will be his answer to his 3rd playmaker. Genia JOC and Beale will be the playmakers. Foley will only be required to kick for touch and be the goalkicker. Hunt will be 13 as he in Cheikas mind he is superior to TK.I can see Michael Cheika picking a; 9 Genia 10 Foley 11 Koro 12 JOC 13 Hunt 14 DHP 15 Beale
Connor33
Guest
I probably would have agreed with most of what you said pre this season. But to see what Slipper has achieved, and Hunt, has been heart warming. And I reckon giving the kid a decent chance is worth a go. I’ve even given Cooper a second chance and he has impressed with how s attitude change.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Is that the one where he got up from being treated for an injured sternum and rushed to try and get in the way of Rene, a known tackle buster, on the full burst? I reckon Rene has made of very good tacklers look bad in his time.
Connor33
Guest
Yeah, Kiwi just needs to take a look at Joc in the YouTube clip, better runner; better passer; better kicker—and that’s all at club level. Joc is a much better tackler at club and international level.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Rangi does throw consistently and accurately, from memory he had 1 bad game in terms of lineout throwing. Not 1 oz hooker was without belmish in terms of lineout throwing. Rangi is the best of the hookers at this. My point is the rebels lineout is not as strong in terms of lineout jumpers as the reds with Rodda, Higgs, Wright, LSL. At some points they had 5 genuine options. Brumbies 2 locks were better than Rebels locks but rebels 6 was better. Tahs probably had a stronger lineout in terms of lineout targets compared to rebels when Coleman was out or on the bench which was often. Rebels had Jones calling the lineouts and their best jumper Phillips not close to Simmons. Just shows how good Rangi was.
Harrison
Roar Rookie
I remember this one tackle attempt on Rene Ranger pretty well..