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Wallabies centurion backs James O'Connor: 'It would be a waste if he didn't get another opportunity'

By Online Editors
Former Wallaby James O'Connor delivered the final pass for Faf de Klerk's brilliant team try. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Five-eighth Bernard Foley has welcomed James O’Connor’s bid to break back into the Wallabies squad while former Test pivot Matt Giteau says it will be “a waste” if Australian rugby’s former golden boy doesn’t get another opportunity at international level.

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O’Connor is reportedly on the verge of signing a long-term deal with the Queensland Reds, which could see him return to the Wallabies squad as soon as this week after departing English club Sale

On Wednesday, O’Connor trained with other Australian Rugby Championship squad aspirants in Brisbane, but had yet to sign a contract with Rugby Australia and the Reds.

“James has come back today and already he’s shown he’s a quality player and he’s got that intent and desire to come back and play for the Wallabies; and that’s only a good thing,” Foley said.

“It builds the competition and competitiveness around the team and selection and each person driving each other to be a better player.”

O’Connor, who turns 29 on Friday, was the second youngest Wallaby when he made his debut for Australia at 18 in 2008.

He started Tests at fullback, wing and five-eighth and was also used in the centres, before his international career was cut short in 2013, after 44 Tests, after a series of off-field incidents.

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O’Connor returned to Australia with the Reds in 2015 to play at the World Cup that year, but he was overlooked and returned to Europe.

Giteau played with O’Connor at Toulon and believes it will be “silly” to leave the utility back out of World Cup calculations, with the tournament in Japan later this year.

“The ability he’s got to cover so many positions and to cover them at a world-class level, it would be silly not to at least consider him for that squad,” Giteau told PlayersVoice.

“It would be a waste if he didn’t get another opportunity – for him and Australian rugby.”

Giteau admits O’Connor “rated himself” early in his career but remains convinced the once prodigious talent has matured and deserves his shot at redemption.

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“He definitely rubbed some people up the wrong way, and got into some dramas, and for a lot of Australians that’s the last image of him,” Giteau said.

“He now understands how much he enjoyed playing for Australia, and how much he has missed not playing for his country having been given such an opportunity at such a young age.

“When something is taken away from you, you realise how much you miss it.

“He’s at a place now where he understands what he did wrong.

“The only way we can learn is from our mistakes and that’s how we get better. He’s developed a lot as a person – more team-oriented, more level as a guy.”

– AAP

Hear what George Gregan thinks of his former side’s World Cup chances:

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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