ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Wednesday Apr 30, 2014

James O'Connor on life in the UK and Wallaby ambitions - Total Rugby

James O’Connor left Australia to seek greener pastures at London Irish and is clearly enjoying life in the Northern Hemisphere. Total Rugby put together this feature on the former Wallaby, where he speaks about rugby abroad, tactics and playing for his country. He needs to find a team in Australia though, which appears to be a challenge.

O’Connor will join Toulon at the end of the season, then aims to get back to Australia to be eligible for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The problem, it appears, is that there isn’t too much interest from the teams in Australia, with the Rebels, Waratahs and Brumbies reportedly not interested.

The Force are rebuilding after some previous issues, and have stated that they’re not sure they’d want to risk upsetting things again. The Reds is his best bet, but Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie has said that despite his fondness for O’Connor, it’s not his job to find the talented back a team.

“I have left it up to him to work out how he gets back to Australia and that’s between him and the provinces really,” McKenzie told Fox Sports recently.

“The people he has to convince are those people. They’ve got team cultures and how they want to go about business, and they also have salary caps and all those things.

“He obviously chose to go offshore. Well, getting back onshore and getting back here, that’s the challenge he has got to sort out. I am not out there peddling anyone’s case. I have to be respectful of players who are here and plugging away and doing good things.

“In the end, the melting pot for the World Cup will become obvious at the start of next year, and we’ll go from there,” the former Reds coach added. 

For Wallaby and rugby fans’ sake, it would be great to see him back in the gold and green jumper, especially with the World Cup such a showcase event. This video from Total Rugby gives us some insight into his frame of mind, and how much he’s enjoying life and rugby at London Irish.

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments




Related Articles

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Doping scandal hits the English Premiership...

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Former international captain retires



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 23 HOURS AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All