James O’Connor must grasp World Cup opportunity, says Mat Rogers
As James O’Connor prepares to play in the Rugby World Cup, former Wallaby Mat Rogers urges him to make his chance count.
World Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from World Cup. Followed categories will be added to My News.
James O’Connor must embrace, not waste, the rare chance to rewrite his chequered legacy on rugby’s greatest stage, according to former Wallaby Mat Rogers.
Rogers hopes the one-time enfant terrible of Australian rugby truly understands how lucky he is to have a second shot at the Rugby World Cup in Saturday’s opener against Fiji in Sapporo.
Rogers has seen too many rollercoaster careers in rugby and rugby league have downbeat endings not to be a wise voice on the chance presented to O’Connor.
O’Connor’s six-year estrangement from the Wallabies could easily have been terminal but for coach Michael Cheika’s renowned benevolence to grant second chances.
Stream the Rugby World Cup 2019 on KAYO SPORTS. Every match Live & On-Demand on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Get your 14 day free trial >
“It’s a rare thing to ever get the opportunity to mature at the one club or with your country after you’ve played up and been cut,” Rogers said.
“O’Connor was young enough and he’s now mature enough to realise what it really means to play for Australia.
“Don’t waste it...a World Cup doesn’t come around every other week.
“I think James also sends a good message that you don’t have to be perfect and you can come back as long as you’re not making the same mistakes.”
O’Connor faces a tough test at outside centre against Fiji because he’ll have to muzzle Semi Radradra’s 100kg of running power when the former NRL star winds up.
Rogers has dived into his own novel World Cup experience with Mastercard to help make life easier for the many Japan-bound Aussies who will be “Lost in Fanslation.”
Rogers was flown to Tokyo to connect cultures through rugby with World Cup fanatic Tomo Setoguchi.
Their “Tap Map”, an all-in-one interactive travel guide on Instagram, can help unlock Tokyo’s hidden gems from best eats and sights to where to watch matches outside venues.
“As a Wallaby, I got to travel to places like Argentina, France and Italy and have to admit I had some anxiety about cultures I didn’t understand,” Rogers said.
“You don’t want to hide in your hotel room so this Tap Map on Instagram is a cool thing when many of the 40,000 Aussies heading to the World Cup will be experiencing Japan for the first time.”
Rogers said his gift of a signed Wallabies jersey was an “icebreaker” with his Tokyo host.
“The fact I can’t sing didn’t seem to worry Tomo over beer and karaoke because once your go-to song is Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer it’s pretty universal,” Rogers said.
Rogers coached a session for halfback Setoguchi’s Tokyo Gaijin club, ate sushi at the Michelin-starred Ginza Iwa restaurant and visited the No Side Club where rugby’s reach into Japan hit him.
MORE NEWS
Australian player ratings from the Ashes
‘King’ Clint Gutherson on why Eels can win title
The new-look Boomers set to tackle Tokyo
“I was surprised some of Lote Tuqiri’s Wallabies gear was in the bar’s memorabilia but it makes you realise that rugby has been played in Japan for more than 100 years,” Rogers said.
“When Tomo and I loosened up together we communicated much better and I really think Australians are going to love a Japanese World Cup.”
According to research conducted by Mastercard, 84 per cent of Australian travellers are blinkered to Japanese cultural intricacies and rely on stereotypes, including geishas (64 per cent) and sumo wrestlers (62 per cent).
“The Tap Map gives rugby fans a way to mix perspectives with locals and learn more about Japanese culture with recommendations from Tomo and I,” Rogers said.
Two-man showdown for Wallabies job as succession plan revealed
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh has laid out the plan to replace Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt – with two leading candidates emerging amid Waugh’s non-negotiables and the deadline to land Schmidt’s successor.
Wallabies coach shock as Schmidt walks away from top job
Australia’s international rugby revival has hit a major hurdle, with the Wallabies forced to head to market again for a head coach following a surprise announcement from Joe Schmidt.