Garry Ringrose shocked by James O’Connor omission from Wallabies squad

Lions centre Garry Ringrose is shocked James O’Connor hasn’t been able to make the Wallabies squad, but believes coach Joe Schmidt could yet call on him for the series.

Lions centre Garry Ringrose is shocked James O’Connor hasn’t been able to make the Wallabies squad, but believes coach Joe Schmidt could yet call him in for the series.

Ringrose, coached by Schmidt in Ireland, suggested O’Connor – fresh from lifting the Super Rugby trophy for the Crusaders – could yet play a role against the Lions.

“He has some amount of experience, James does, with the level he’s played at, different clubs he’s played at, different positions he’s played, he’d be a huge asset to any squad,” Ringrose said.

“I’d be surprised if Joe wasn’t speaking to him. Things can change at any point, but the fact that someone of his quality isn’t in the squad probably just shows the strength of the Australian squad at the moment. He’s been great for the Crusaders.

James O’Connor has enjoyed a standout season with the Crusaders. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

“It’s been cool watching him do his thing. As someone who would have watched him for years now, I wouldn’t be surprised when you see him going as well as he has.”

Schmidt named Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh as his five-eighth options for the Test against Fiji, while Tane Edmed is the back-up as part of a wider squad.

He will name a 36-man squad for the Lions on July 11, after the Fiji game, but it’s unlikely to include O’Connor unless there are major injuries, given Schmidt said he was invested in players who were in Australia.

Ringrose is dismissing the notion the Wallabies will be easybeats in the coming series because they’re ranked eighth in the world, behind Ireland, England and Scotland.

“I certainly wouldn’t see it that way,” Ringrose said. “From knowing Joe Schmidt and the first time I was in Irish camp was under him and knowing the detail he goes into, the quality of his coaching, how he gets the best out of the players around him, not for one second would I look into anything like that and expect nothing but a world class team with the ability to beat anyone.

“With the players they have as well, that’s what we’ve got to prep for.”

Garry Ringrose expects big things from the Wallabies. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images

Ringrose expects a tough Wallabies outfit following their spring tour last year when they defeated England and Wales, and just lost 22-19 to Ireland in Dublin.

“I was on the bench for that game so I was kind of watching on for the first 65 minutes,” Ringrose said.

“But pass quality at the line, decision making. If one or two things had gone differently in that game, they would have won and could have easily won it. So (Schmidt’s) fingerprints were all over it.

“Joe demands such a high quality foundation of just the simple things.

Joe Schmidt during his time coaching Ireland. Picture: Julian Smith/AAP Image

“So personally he was brilliant. I feel lucky to have worked with him certainly early on in my career and understand the true value of the simple things when it comes to rugby and I know the players that are around him, he gets that out of them. So that was something with playing against Australia, just the simple habits and behaviours around the breakdown, either attack or defence.

“In hindsight, I feel lucky to have worked with him early on, because he can simplify the game for a player and demand the best possible for the simple aspects of the game.”

Schmidt made a bold call early in Ringrose’s Test career.

“He gets the best out of you, I was picked on the bench for Ireland’s game against New Zealand, I didn’t actually get on, but then played the following week against Canada,” he said.

“He played me at 12, which is something I wouldn’t have ever thought of doing. I’d never done it before, but he showed trust and confidence in me.

“Then played against Australia the following week at 12 against (Tevita) Kuridrani (and Reece Hodge).

“It was something I probably wouldn’t have ever seen myself able to do, but he trusted and backed me and got the most out of me at that point in time. I think his hand was forced a little bit with injuries. I’m grateful for that, for the opportunities he gave me.”

Originally published as Garry Ringrose shocked by James O’Connor omission from Wallabies squad