29 year-old James O’Connor has just signed a two-year contract with the Queensland Reds, and is now eligible to add to his 44 Test total with the Wallabies.
I think it's great that he has signed to return to Australia in 2020 and I completely agree that he deserves a shot and looks like he has turned the page on his previous transgressions. However, I can't stomach that after all that has happened and after some average form for Sale Sharks, he is just added straight back into the Wallabies set up and handed a nice clean jersey. Not a second played in super rugby and (as yet) not a second player for QLD club rugby. How can we promote the integrity and superiority of the jersey if we allow parachute players?
This whole saviour / knight in shining armour thing come to rescue the Wallabies from World Cup Misfortune schtick really fuels his ego. Good thing his ego hasn't been a problem before.
I wouldn't be surprised if he somehow doesn't end up playing for the Reds at all next year after the World Cup campaign is done and dusted.
I’m glad all my poor decisions I made when I was younger and more syrup I’d didn’t make very public headlines, otherwise I doubt I would have a successful career like I do. If he has genuinely grown smarter, ‘served his time in the NH wilderness’, and is eligible and good enough to play for the Wallabies, give him a shot. No sense in a permanent black ball if he has turned things around.
Blinky, he is either a world class charlatan or a chunky piece of extremely positive fresh air.
I choose to believe the latter.
Wallaby fortunes will not turn on one man but one person willing and able to deliver may make significant difference.
JOC always seems to have plenty to say, some of it good and some of it .... well let's just say poorly thought through. I am all for giving blokes another try and wishing them well. Equally, I can understand that many Rugby fans around the world must think that JOC's last chance was taken by him many chances ago.
BillPosters
Roar Rookie
I think it's great that he has signed to return to Australia in 2020 and I completely agree that he deserves a shot and looks like he has turned the page on his previous transgressions. However, I can't stomach that after all that has happened and after some average form for Sale Sharks, he is just added straight back into the Wallabies set up and handed a nice clean jersey. Not a second played in super rugby and (as yet) not a second player for QLD club rugby. How can we promote the integrity and superiority of the jersey if we allow parachute players?
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
This whole saviour / knight in shining armour thing come to rescue the Wallabies from World Cup Misfortune schtick really fuels his ego. Good thing his ego hasn't been a problem before. I wouldn't be surprised if he somehow doesn't end up playing for the Reds at all next year after the World Cup campaign is done and dusted.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I’m glad all my poor decisions I made when I was younger and more syrup I’d didn’t make very public headlines, otherwise I doubt I would have a successful career like I do. If he has genuinely grown smarter, ‘served his time in the NH wilderness’, and is eligible and good enough to play for the Wallabies, give him a shot. No sense in a permanent black ball if he has turned things around.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Blinky, he is either a world class charlatan or a chunky piece of extremely positive fresh air. I choose to believe the latter. Wallaby fortunes will not turn on one man but one person willing and able to deliver may make significant difference.
Blinky Bill
Roar Rookie
JOC always seems to have plenty to say, some of it good and some of it .... well let's just say poorly thought through. I am all for giving blokes another try and wishing them well. Equally, I can understand that many Rugby fans around the world must think that JOC's last chance was taken by him many chances ago.