James O’Connor signs with Queensland Reds, eyes World Cup berth
Australian rugby bad boy James O’Connor’s World Cup dream is closer to becoming a reality after the 44-Test Wallaby officially linked with the Queensland Reds.
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A deal has been finalised for the enigmatic James O’Connor to play for the Queensland Reds which parachutes him into shock World Cup contention.
The speed with which negotiations have moved is the surprise with the Reds desperate for an influential inside centre to replace Japan-bound trump Samu Kerevi.
Nothing would have been possible without positive moves from Rugby Australia, O’Connor’s own eagerness and crossed fingers that his enfant terrible days are gone for good.
O’Connor, still just 28, is already back in Australia and could be a surprise face at the Wallabies’ hopefuls camp in Brisbane by the end of the week.
He made a strong impression with English club Sale Sharks in 18 appearances in the recent season when he made inside centre home for his footwork, skills and stout defence.
As importantly, Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond told England’s The Rugby Paper that O’Connor had been a model citizen off the field for two seasons.
“James has been brilliant from day one. I told him if he didn’t overstep then everything would be great and we never had a bad word,” Diamond said.
“Whoever gets him is getting a little pearl.”
Just as halfback Nic White has been brought home from English club Exeter, the 44-Test O’Connor has been judged an asset by the new Michael Cheika-Scott Johnson partnership at the helm of the Wallabies.
None of the Wallabies have heard any more than rumours about an O’Connor return from the clouds but it’s enough for 2011 World Cup teammate Will Genia to give a thumbs up.
“What people tend to do is typecast him as the arrogant kid who did this and that and judgement is clouded on who he might be now as a person,” Genia said.
“While he was young he got away with a lot because of pure talent but at the point where he was judged disruptive to the team, it was decided he was not wanted.
“If the research is done and he has matured, as the indications are, why wouldn’t you bring back someone as good as he is whether it’s into the Reds or the Wallabies’ set-up.”
“There are Wallabies leaving (to play overseas) post-World Cup so even in that context it’s good to have such players around for next year.”
Genia’s own overseas move from the Melbourne Rebels is certain with the club recently signing Fijian No.9 Frank Lomani.
O’Connor showed similar commitment when wanting to force his way into the 2015 World Cup team when he played the lead-in Super Rugby season with the Reds.
Unknowingly, he carried a knee ligament injury more serious than he knew through a tryless 12-game season where his acceleration off the mark was affected.
His form didn’t ignite in a poor team but he never blotted his record off the field which has worked in his favour at the Reds.
On Monday Genia was icing his right knee post-training but said he’d be fit to face South Africa in Johannesburg on July 20 after playing for the Melbourne Rebels with a ligament strain on June 14.
Former World Cup-winner George Gregan joined the Wallabies’ camp for a halfback skills session with Genia, White, Jake Gordon and Nick Phipps which will be a semi-regular feature all the way to the World Cup.
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