James O’Connor named for Wallabies in Brisbane Test
Six years after last playing a Test for the Wallabies, James O’Connor is back in the green and gold this weekend - but the former bad boy has a long way to mend a certain broken promise.
Wallabies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wallabies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The old James O’Connor would have been enchanted by a Beer Yoga hub, a brewery bar bursting with youthful fun and a burger joint within 100m of his Wallabies’ hotel.
Being selected on the bench for his first Test in six years at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night is not yet the greatest feat of a comeback story most thought a dead end years ago.
He still has to convince the humble fan he truly is a more mature model who fully appreciates wearing the gold jersey as a privilege.
O’Connor has always been able to play and too many have forgotten he was one of the very few Wallabies at the 2011 World Cup to enhance their reputations in New Zealand.
He was only 21 but, before and after that trip, he behaved more like a spoiled 12-year-old off the field.
There were repeat slaps of disrespect to teammates and coach Robbie Deans between 2011-13.
Even when the axe was hovering over Deans’ neck, O’Connor was a no-show at the Wallabies’ team meeting the day after the 2-1 series loss to the 2013 British and Irish Lions.
Deans thanked his players in what was as good as a farewell but O’Connor, heading to a Kings Cross club just hours early, was nowhere to be seen.
MORE WALLABIES NEWS:
BRAIN DONATION: Star says he will do his bit for science
NEW DAD: Koroibete keen to deliver on talent
He’d already missed a team bus and been damned by a 4am Hungry Jacks’ visit on that tour.
Senior team figures were peeved. Again. The public picked up on a team culture being poisoned.
For the third time over a span of years, this scribe will use a quote from O’Connor: “It’s going to be my actions that speak louder than any words.”
And hope it’s true.
These days, you will more likely find him on the sofa at home than under strobe lights on a Friday night.
The juxtaposition of O’Connor, 29, being granted a comeback for the same Test against Argentina as Christian Lealiifano is poignant.
On one hand, is a former rugby punk who nearly buried his own Test career and, on the other, is the inspiring Brumbies flyhalf who fought leukaemia just to live life again.
Coach Michael Cheika has made five changes to the starting side to face the Pumas which means 29 players will have made World Cup auditions across two Tests.
Getting 20 minutes against Argentina is a chance for utility back O’Connor not a gold pass to the World Cup.
It all started with a phone call to England where O’Connor was playing inside centre for Sale.
“I think we met at a train station in Leicester somewhere, it was a shady meeting you know how they go,” Cheika said with a grin.
“There’s a lot of random to these things. Based on the back of his form over there, you call the guy, why not, and you don’t know what’s going to happen.
“From there, he’s made a lot of things happen himself to get back here.
“He’s made sacrifices, first world sacrifices mind you, and put in a lot of effort because he really wants to play footy for his country and do it well.
“He had that very nervous look on his face when the selection came and I’m sure he’s so excited to play.
“He knows he’s got to be good enough and he wants to show what he’s got.”
That’s why O’Connor wasn’t pushed forward by the Wallabies to talk to the world before his first Test in 2142 days.
Actions before words.
Australia v Argentina at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday 27 July
WALLABIES TEAM
1. Scott Sio (55 Tests) 2. Folau Fainga’a (8 Tests) 3. Sekope Kepu (104 Tests) 4. Izack Rodda (18 Tests) 5. Rory Arnold (20 Tests) 6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (12 Tests) 7. Michael Hooper (c) (92 Tests) 8. Isi Naisarani (1 Test) 9. Will Genia (101 Tests) 10. Christian Lealiifano (19 Tests) 11. Marika Koroibete (20 Tests) 12. Samu Kerevi (vc) (26 Tests) 13. Tevita Kuridrani (59 Tests) 14. Reece Hodge (34 Tests) 15. Kurtley Beale (84 Tests) Reserves 16. Tolu Latu (12 Tests) 17. James Slipper (87 Tests) 18. Taniela Tupou (12 Tests) 19. Rob Simmons (95 Tests) 20. Luke Jones (3 Tests) 21. Nic White (23 Tests) 22. Matt To’omua (43 Tests) 23. James O’Connor (44 Tests)