As many talented players exit Australian rugby and further send our national rugby stocks plummeting into oblivion, I’d like to shed a bit of hope on the anticipated return of Australia’s once golden child: James O’Connor.
I know, I know, he’s had a very coloured past but when I think about what has been said by Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Tim Walsh and Stephen Hoiles, it got me thinking. Could the rebel be the new standard issue Wallaby?
I’d like to quickly explore the major difference between our boys in gold and our neighbours in black. The Beauden Barretts and Sam Whitelocks of this world could be plying their trades in the European circuit for many more times their current pay but for some reason they stay despite this attraction. Why?
The key difference is a deep passion and drive to get an opportunity to pull on the coveted jersey and represent the nation well and win for the many thousands of fans cheering them on. This passion appears to override the economic opportunities of foreign lands.
I’m not ignoring the many people in the Wallabies set-up who no doubt have passion for the jersey too, but the difference is that it seems the All Black boys would rather turn down massive sums to stay and play for the jersey, then chase dollars after they’ve finished.
There are plenty of Kiwis that leave for better payments overseas but I’d wager they are made up of more fringe players than key players – guys like Lima Sopoaga and Charles Piutau.
We aren’t experiencing this in Australia. Samu Kerevi, Rory Arnold and Adam Coleman are among our premiere players set to leave. We just aren’t able to retain the players unless we offer them crazy sums to compete with foreign contracts.
And so here enters JOC.
(Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
A man who was exiled – and rightly so – for misconduct and poorly representing the Wallabies in the public spotlight.
For six years, that prodigy has been left out in the cold by RA to think on his actions and now – finally – he is expected to return home and as a much more mature and passionate football player. This is why he is the perfect example of what the Wallabies should be.
Like All Blacks players have the potential to, O’Connor was earning significant sums overseas but cut it short to return to his home nation in a bid to represent Australia once more.
He has taken a significant pay cut to ink a deal in Australia and this is an encouraging sign. It shows that he has a passion for the Wallabies and wants to do his best to make us as competitive as possible and do right by all of us here at home, pay being the less important element.
Passion before pay.
If James is as hungry for redemption and national pride as he sounds like he is, Michael Cheika and the Wallabies get a mature, motivated player.
Add O’Connor to that team environment as soon as possible to bring out that desire we desperately need to replicate like our friendly neighbours from across the way.
oldoneeye
Roar Rookie
Rubbish
HenryHoneyBalls
Guest
There aren't that many first team Argentinians playing in Europe anymore. Of those that are there Id say only Sanchez is a banker. Imhoff, Isa, Cordero and Herrera are the only other ones in particular Herrera as he is a prop and the Argie scrum is creaking a bit. Isa, Imhoff and Cordero would be benchers at best.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I think you’re misunderstanding me Rajah. I wouldn’t knock anyone in a profession as short and unpredictable as pro sport for making hay. My point is to the author that I don’t see him as any kind of role model. As I also said, that doesn’t mean he can’t still become one, but in my book he’s still got that road to travel. As I also said, I agree he adds to the current Wallaby squad. I hope he goes well, I always (mostly) enjoyed watching him play.
Rajah
Roar Rookie
Don't know of anyone who would have played for peanuts instead of going overseas in his scenario. Why should he? Professional rugby players need to make hay while the sun shines - which is never for long. Getting away from Aus was probably the best thing he could have done at the time. Give the lad a go and see what he can bring to the team, we need some quality in the backline now that Izzy won't be there
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Well, didn't he have his Wallaby contract torn up? Couldn't he still have made a go at resurrection in a club jersey here? What's that saying about making your bed and lying in it? Let's face it, he hardly covered himself in behavior glory heading North either did he, with his late night powder excursions with Ali Williams. I'm not saying he can't become a role model, I'll give anyone a second chance - although when you start getting down to five or six it's a struggle, even with a 10 year old. But right now, I really can't see he's a role model of any description worth having. But hey, if you're half decent at any sport in this country, it's amazing what we'll forget about.
Horse
Roar Rookie
Fair enough Neil, you raise a good point but I must say he wasn’t given an option other than to leave for overseas seeing he got his contract torn up. With Australia closing the door on him, where else was he meant to go? The money was just an added bonus besides the fact he could stay employed as a footy player. It is more telling he wants to come back. Could’ve easily stayed away overseas but is choosing to come back.
Kick n Clap
Guest
League Forwards would have “murdered him”. Not big enough or tough enough am afraid.
Don
Roar Rookie
Yeah PK I’d read JOC was in camp training well and then in the same article was the comment about not playing a guy who has just arrived. It was inconsistent with how Cheika has operated with the guys he favours. It’s a quite remarkable contradiction with Cheika. He’ll bend every rule and normal selection criteria to have his favourites in a squad yet at the same time espouses a ‘team first’ and ‘reward for effort’ culture. It’s like he cannot see his own actions are the antithesis of the culture he promotes and says he puts such importance into.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I've no doubt passion in the jersey is the key motivator for any player with International aspirations. But that passion does come easier for some when that shirt is associated with excellence and success. Just saying. And I'm not 100% convinced JOC is the role model for 'passion before pay' having made his coin elsewhere before committing again. Good luck to him though. I believe he strengthens this current Wallaby squad, but I don't see Cheika making the best of him.
Jacko
Guest
I guess he would have appeared in court in the assault case of Phil Waugh
Chris
Guest
Over the last 5 years superior players like QC Gill BPA Arnold Fardy Morahan White Powell Higginbotham and McMahon have been brushed aside for spuds like Hanigan Foley Phipps Robertson Dempsey AAC Latu TPN Mumm Douglas Skelton and Horne.If JOC makes the best Wallaby 23 i will be surprised. We haven't had the best Wallaby 23 on the field since 2013. ( barring Pocock injury).
aussikiwi
Guest
Yep the Renee Ranger tackle was the one I was thinking about but I had conflated two different incidents. The Ranger one, Renee was running full speed, OConnor attempted a front on tackle, having seriously injured his sternum a few minutes earlier. The ruptured liver was against the Tahs.
Jonesy
Guest
And be selected at 10 against NZ with foley or cooper outside him... ????
PeterK
Roar Guru
Don - I was a little bit wrong, JoC has attended training, even been energetic. Unbelievable he isn't in the 23. The only thing I can imagine is Beale has had a sook and Cheika wants to make sure he gets every chance to impress and not have JoC breathing down his neck and show him up coming off the bench. Boks smash Wallabies but Beale gets retained (most of team gets retained) so they can redeem themselves against Argentina. JoC will be given his chance starting against NZ and then dropped when Wallabies get smashed so Beale can be reinstated.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah it was also Rene Ranger too I'm pretty sure. Not the first bloke Rene ran over.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Cheika is being consistent with he values TRAINING attitude and behaviour (being a yes man) above all else. TPN attended training camp. Cheika ignores super form, even test form, and looks at training. JoC has missed the training squad events. Higgs was dropped for poor attitude (read asking questions of plans) at training. If he cared about bad messages then he wouldn't select players like Dempsey who haven't played super rugby due to injury, he wouldn't select over the hill players like AAC etc.
PeterK
Roar Guru
better for wallabies that Kerevi plays 12 and JoC 15 otherwise JoC at 12 and Beale at 15 IMO is a lot worse combination i.e losing Kerevi for Beale.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Horse - good article mate - totally agree. Give JOC a chance at redemption I say. And if he's even 75% of the player he was when last he played for WBs he'll be by far THE best and most valuable back Aust has. He was a point scoring machine under intense pressure and had no game weaknesses... except for his behaviour issues. So give him a chance now to prove he's matured and resolved all that :)
joeb
Roar Rookie
Great to see him back. Terrific for Oz rugby. And hopefully Deans comes back into the Oz rugby picture too.
Mike
Guest
I had a good laugh at that. Thank you. Here’s hoping though.