Payto & Panda: James O'Connor could switch to rugby league

THERE has been plenty of chat about NRL players switching to rugby of late, but don't be surprised if James O'Connor reverses the trend by defecting to league.

James O'Connor

THERE has been plenty of chat about NRL players switching to rugby of late, but don't be surprised if Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor reverses the trend by defecting to league.

O'Connor has been left in a grim situation after being released by Melbourne Rebels. He is unwanted by all Australian franchises except the Western Force, who have declared the controversial playmaker must come on their terms.

O'Connor left the Force two years ago on a sour note after demanding KPIs from the club as part of his re-negotiation, resulting in them pulling their offer.

The Force have struggled since their inception and while coach Michael Foley has forged some great upsets in 2013, O'Connor knows he will struggle to mount a compelling case for national selection in a weaker team.

Already there is speculation new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie will drop O'Connor from the opening Bledisloe Cup Test on August 17.

O'Connor played league as a junior and given all European and Japanese rugby contracts have been finalised for next season, expect more developments on his potential switch to the NRL.

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PATRONS at the Eastern Suburbs vs Randwick Shute Shield match last Saturday were stunned when the ground announcer urged them to take free tickets to the Waratahs vs Reds match at ANZ Stadium later that night. When nobody put their hand up the announcer sighed, "We can't give them away".

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FORMER Wallaby Brett Papworth will be missing from ABC's Shute Shield commentary team for the next month, captaining the SCG XI cricket team on a (very social) seven-match tour of England. The team will also feature former Test opener Simon Katich.

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WONDERFUL achievement by the Payto & Panda column to take out the Telegraph's Super Rugby tipping competition again this year, congratulations from us.