'It was always part of the plan': James O'Connor's 'not ideal' scenario

With his dog safely set up in his new pad, veteran playmaker James O’Connor has been handed a starting role on what will be a special night for Wallabies prop James Slipper in Saturday’s blockbuster against New Zealand.

Eden Park has been a graveyard for the Wallabies – their last win at the venue coming in 1986 – and it’s been a long and winding road for O’Connor to get there in time for the Bledisloe Cup opener in Auckland.

O’Connor jetted off to England last week to link up with his new club Leicester, but flew back to rejoin the Wallabies in NZ after being called up again by coach Joe Schmidt.

It was initially believed O’Connor made the trip to England because he was unsure if he would be retained in the Wallabies squad, but Schmidt said that wasn’t the case.

“It was always part of the plan,” Schmidt said of O’Connor’s trip.

Fixture

Rugby Championship

New Zealand

33 - 24

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Australia

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“He was going back to set his flat up, get his dog over there.

“He booked his dog to go over and his partner, so they stuck with that, and he got across there, caught up with Geoff (Leicester coach Geoff Parling) for a couple of days.

“It’s probably not ideal that there was a bit of travel in that.

“But it just allowed him to set himself up beyond these next two weeks, so he could be free and just focusing on what’s immediately in front of us, which is a very big challenge.”

The match will mark Slipper’s 150-Test milestone.

Having made his international debut as a 21-year-old in 2010, Slipper already holds the record as the most-capped prop in Test rugby history.

The 36-year-old will join Welshman Alun Wyn Jones and New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock to become just the third player to reach the milestone of 150 Tests.

“That’s phenomenal in terms of Test match footy,” Schmidt said.

“It’s incredible. And the thing I love about Slips is that he’s still trying to get better.

“He’s still working on his game to add a little bit more value to the team as best he can, and he’s a massive team man.”

Slipper will line up alongside hooker Billy Pollard and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou in the run-on front row for Saturday’s clash, which doubles as a Rugby Championship encounter.

Prop Allan Alaalatoa has been named on the bench after recovering from a shoulder injury. Scrumhalf Tate McDermott, who replaces the now-retired Nic White in the starting side, will bring up his 50-Test milestone.

Canberra’s Ryan Lonergan has been selected for a potential Test debut as the replacement scrumhalf, with Tane Edmed the reserve flyhalf.

Max Jorgensen has been named at fullback after Andrew Kellaway injured his calf at training.

Kellaway’s injury comes on top of the Wallabies losing star fullback Tom Wright to an ACL in August.

Star back-rower Rob Valetini was ruled out of this week’s clash with calf tightness.

Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has earned his first start for the year, selected alongside Nick Frost in the run-on second row.

Winger Harry Potter also makes his return to the starting side.

All four teams in the Rugby Championship currently boast 2-2 records, but Australia sit on top after collecting three bonus points from their four games to date.

After facing the All Blacks in Auckland, the Wallabies host New Zealand in Perth next week.

WALLABIES: Max Jorgensen, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Corey Toole, James O’Connor, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Carlo Tizzano, Ryan Lonergan, Tane Edmed, Filipo Daugunu