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James O'Connor's shock admission on time in Europe and warning about playing overseas
James O’Connor has admitted he wanted to walk away from the game in his twenties after years of injuries, partying and wrong decisions left him looking for the door.
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In a wide-ranging interview with Emma Greenwood in rugby.com.au, O’Connor also warns Australian players about going overseas on big contracts, and suggests staying in Australia is the way to go for young Aussie talent.
The 29-year-old is now back with the Queensland Reds, having made a Rugby World Cup comeback with the Wallabies last year.
The playmaker talks of his time abroad in the UK and France, and of how he had fallen out of love with the game. Getting arrested for cocaine possession in Paris was the straw that nearly broke the camel’s back.
“I thought after what happened in France I was done. So to be here (Queensland) now, it’s just, enjoy it.”
“I was close (to giving up rugby). I thought if I do my ankle one more time, I’m done.
“That was in 2017 – if I hurt it again, I was done. I thought it would (happen). I was like, I’ll just give up and I’ll find something, something good will come about.”
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O’Connor’s injuries while in Europe got so bad at one stage that he was barely fit for one hour of training a day and was unable to sidestep or run properly. O’Connor blames the lure of alcohol and a party lifestyle for his inability to get back to full fitness. Pain had become a daily issue for the playmaker.
“It (pain) riddled me for so long. But my choices didn’t help,” he said. “I remember after I got my first ankle surgery, I was with the boys on the weekend and we went to one of the boys’ houses and got some drinks.
An "at peace" James O'Connor ready to write a new chapter with @Reds_Rugby.https://t.co/Seusk2xaHn
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) January 10, 2020
“Obviously alcohol is so bad on not only your body and your guts but it thins your blood and it’s not the way to (recover).
“But back then, I was like, I’ll heal, I’m young, I’ve always healed in the past.
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“But you get to a certain age where you don’t heal the same and if you don’t look after yourself, you can’t play rugby – if you don’t make the right decisions, if you don’t put rugby first, it will be taken away from you.
“I spent three years overseas where I was in pain every session. I couldn’t run, I couldn’t sidestep and that was my main game, so I had to develop other areas.
Out TODAY 🤩#Baabaas #rugby #rugbyunited 🏉 pic.twitter.com/hFvWhsM4Dx
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) January 12, 2020
“But it was frustrating. That put me more into a hole because if you can’t express yourself, you’re just whacking against a wall.
“I was like, I just can’t catch a break. But I was the one causing it, with my life choices and where I was putting my energy.”
“I’d fallen into some horrible habits,” O’Connor said. “I was broken. I was broken physically, I couldn’t get on the field, I could train only an hour a day, maximum.
Rugby should learn from Major League Baseball instead of following its path as it tries to capture the next generation, writes @bensmithrugby https://t.co/Erpp0egY7E
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 12, 2020
“Sometimes, I could only train once or twice a week, my body was just weak, I’d had so many surgeries.”
O’Connor says he has found peace and is back concentrating on rugby and staying fit.
The utility back who can cover every position in the backline other than 9, also warns of the pull of lucrative contracts overseas.
“You want to be here, you want to be hustling, you want to be grinding with your mates in Australia,” he said.
“We have an amazing country – this is genuinely where you want to be. You speak to anyone who goes and lives overseas, they love the experience – but they can’t wait to get home.”
You can read the full interview HERE.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
19 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
19 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
19 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
19 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to comments