Veteran fly-half James O’Connor overlooked for selection in Wallabies squad for Test against Fiji

James O’Connor’s hopes of playing for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions this year have suffered an early blow.

Veteran fly-half James O’Connor’s hopes of a fairytale Wallabies return for this year’s series against the British and Irish Lions have been shattered after he missed selection in an extended 36-man national squad for next month’s Test against Fiji in Newcastle.

O’Connor, 34, played the most recent of his 64 Tests in 2022 but moved from Queensland to the New Zealand-based Crusaders this season in the hope of playing against the Lions in a three-Test series starting in Brisbane on July 19.

However, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has opted to further invest in younger playmakers Tom Lynagh (Queensland Reds), Noah Lolesio (ACT Brumbies) and Ben Donaldson (Western Force) rather than revert to O’Connor, who has been named on the Crusaders bench for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific final against the Chiefs in Christchurch.

James O'Connor has suffered a setback in his bid to play against the British and Irish Lions this year. Picture: Sanka Vidanagama / AFP

“His experience, his skill set, a little bit of versatility … all those things were positive,” Schmidt said of O’Connor.

“There are other guys that have been in ongoing conversations, the likes of Bernard Foley, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete. They’re all real, not just quality players, but quality contributors to an environment.

“I’ve seen player-to-player coaching as an incredibly powerful way to prepare players to play with the experience they bring, (but) at the same time, we’ve invested in three guys in that 10 (flyhalf) spot, and we felt trying to balance things up, we’re going to keep investing in those guys.”

“What I like about those players is they were investing in themselves really well in our environment last year.

“We saw all three of them make improvements to their game, increase their own confidence to drive the game and communicate the game to other players.

“We didn’t want to interrupt that. I’m not saying we got it right, I’m just saying that’s what we chose to do.

“Selection is always tight and there’ll be players who are excited and those that are disappointed.

“As coaches there was a lot of healthy, robust discussion and we think we’ve selected a group that will work hard and connect well as a squad.”

The squad – which doesn’t yet have a captain – is made up of 20 forwards and 16 backs, with Western Force back-rower Nick

Champion de Crespigny and ACT Brumbies winger Corey Toole the only two uncapped

players selected.

Towering lock and former Wallabies captain Will Skelton is the only overseas-based player named in the 36.

Of the players named in the squad, Perth-based quintet De Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain and Nic White will remain in Western Australia to prepare for the Force’s match against the Lions on June 28 before joining the Wallabies in Newcastle.

While they are away, seven players – Tane Edmed, David Feliuai, Darby Lancaster, Ryan Lonergan, Isaac Kailea, Matt Philip and Rory Scott – will be added to the group to help with preparations for the battle with Fiji on July 6.

Wallabies 36-man squad: Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.

Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway. Noah Lolesio. Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott. Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright.

Originally published as Veteran fly-half James O’Connor overlooked for selection in Wallabies squad for Test against Fiji