Why the return of James O'Connor could help clinch the Bledisloe Cup for the Wallabies
Things weren’t meant to pan out the way that they did in Perth on Saturday night as the Wallabies unexpectedly trounced the All Blacks in a record 47-26 victory.
The reigning back-to-back world champions hadn’t been overly convincing in their opening two matches of 2019, with the Pumas unlucky not to notch a maiden win over the Kiwis, while the Springboks held the New Zealanders to a draw in their own backyard.
Nevertheless, the bumbling Wallabies presented Steve Hansen’s side with an opportunity to iron out the creases that had plagued his team in Buenos Aires and Wellington.
The Richie Mo’unga-Beauden Barrett dual playmaking axis was handed another chance to prove its worth after an underwhelming debut in the 16-all draw at Westpac Stadium.
In the pack, a new-look loose forward trio of Ardie Savea, Sam Cane and Kieran Read was one that was eagerly-anticipated, while the return of Scott Barrett should have aided the injury-enforced absence of Brodie Retallick.
Together, these combinations and selections helped form what Hansen labelled as his best available side.
It was a team that was crafted to be unleashed on a seemingly vulnerable and misfiring Australian outfit, one which had only a couple of weeks earlier been thrashed by South Africa in Johannesburg and scraped home against Argentina in Brisbane.
With the World Cup just a matter of weeks away, Saturday’s match appeared to be the best time to unveil arguably the strongest XV that the All Blacks could muster and let them rip into their work against the hapless Wallabies.
What transpired at Optus Stadium, however, was an 80-minute performance that completely tore up the pre-match script.
Nobody expected the lowly Wallabies to play with such intent, desire and hunger to win, but, with ever-determined captain Michael Hooper at the forefront of their victorious charge, the All Blacks were made to look foolish.
A controversial red card to Scott Barrett obviously played a key role in the result, but it was the All Blacks’ defensive lapses, dumb handling errors and poor ball retention that landed themselves in a losing position.
More significantly is that once the All Blacks played themselves into such a dire state, the Wallabies exploited their opposition’s mishaps to full effect.
They were outmuscled by the more mobile – albeit more heavily-manned – Australian tight five, with Hooper portraying outstanding leadership from openside flanker.
In the backline, the guidance of ex-Brumbies teammates Nic White and Christian Lealiifano was exceptional, with those outside of them shining as a result of their tactical nous and dictatorship of the pace of the game.
Second-five Samu Kerevi, wing Reece Hodge and fullback Kurtley Beale were among the standouts who reaped plaudits for their efforts in Western Australia, but perhaps the most positive outcome for the Wallabies from their first Bledisloe encounter of the year was the display of James O’Connor.
Everyone knows the backstory of this once-troubled youngster, who had exponential amounts of potential in his early years of professional rugby in Australia, only for it to go begging for six years following numerous off-field instances involving drugs and alcohol.
Returning to the national set-up for the first time since 2013 during his team’s 16-10 win over the Pumas, the 29-year-old utility back was promoted from the bench to the run-on squad for the Kiwi clash, earning his first start in the No 13 jersey at test level.
It was a promotion Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika must be ecstatic with.
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Six years away in the European club scene did O’Connor no harm in his new role alongside Kerevi in the midfield, a partnership of which looks destined to be a staple of the Wallabies’ make-up leading into the World Cup.
Finishing the match with 67 running metres from 11 carries and two superb try assists – the first of which eliminated two defenders to set Hodge 50 metres away downfield, the other a simple long ball which again found Hodge deep inside the opposition 22 – O’Connor’s transition back into test rugby has been nothing short of seamless.
His first try assist for Hodge was an illustration of class with ball in hand, and while he offers the Wallabies with immense versatility throughout the backline, it’s in his newfound position of centre where O’Connor could prove to be a masterstroke selection by Cheika and new Australian director of rugby Scott Johnson.
For too long the Wallabies had been without a sturdy midfield duo, with Hodge, Beale, Matt Giteau, Matt Toomua, Bernard Foley and Tevita Kuridrani all tried and tested option, but all failing to establish their mark.
Only Kerevi has lasted as a viable option in the midfield at international level, and for all the talent and experience that those other candidates provided, none could counter the strengths and weaknesses that the Reds star brought to the table.
That was until Johnson took a leap of faith in luring O’Connor back from the United Kingdom, a move most saw as an act of desperation, but has, in fact, turned into a piece of genius recruitment.
O’Connor’s support lines and distribution skills, combined with the electric impetus he brings which helped him make his name as an excitement machine all those years ago, not only indicates a growth in on-field maturity, but it also complements the hard-running, power-based style of play that Kerevi wields.
When both players’ skillsets are brought together, as was the case in Perth, it forms a lethal combination.
The complacent All Blacks found that out the hard way, as the pair directly involved in half of their team’s tries, with Beauden Barrett used as a speed bump by Kerevi en route to Nic White’s scintillating try.
Determined to avoid a repeat of Saturday’s result, which would see them lose the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002, preventing Kerevi and O’Connor from making any kind of headway must be imperative for the All Blacks at Eden Park this week.
Returning midfield star Sonny Bill Williams outlined that much on Tuesday, reserving praise for Kerevi, who he will likely mark should both be selected for this Saturday’s re-match.
“The way he’s played all year, leading line break or tackle break [stats] throughout Super Rugby, it just shows that he’s just continuing his form that he showed throughout the year,” Williams said.
“He’s definitely one we need to watch out for this weekend.”
While he presents a different kind of threat, that last sentence is equally applicable for O’Connor, as without him, the Kerevi’s impact wouldn’t be as influential, and the Australian rugby faithful have Cheika and Johnson to thank for that.
In saying that, the Kiwis will remain favourites to retain their second-most prized possession when both sides to battle in Auckland in four days’ time.
However, if Williams and his national teammates don’t nullify the danger posed by the in-form midfielders, it won’t just be another pre-match script that’s ripped apart, but New Zealand’s domination of the Bledisloe Cup will be obliterated.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Bell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
13 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
13 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to comments