Simply days after he produced a standout debut for the Crusaders to open Tremendous Rugby Pacific 2025, former Wallabies play-maker James O’Connor has made a frank admission about his time enjoying fly-half within the gold jersey early in his profession.
Chatting with the The Good, The Dangerous, & The Rugby: Australia and New Zealand podcast on Wednesday, the 34-year-old admitted he did not have a full understanding of enjoying the essential play-making position till he reached his 30s, regardless of enjoying within the No.10 jersey 12 years in the past over the last British and Irish Lions tour in Australia.
O’Connor was a shock alternative for the place below Robbie Deans in a sequence that resulted in a Lions 2-1 sequence victory together with a 41-16 loss within the decider in Sydney, however believes he now has the understanding and data to tackle the position if given the prospect in 2025.
“I do know the place I went flawed final time within the gold jersey. I did not know the best way to play the sport till I used to be 30. I had solely actually realized the best way to play 10 once I got here again to Australia and even then I used to be nonetheless uncooked,” O’Connor stated.
“I got here again to [the Reds to] play 12. I used to be not thrown into 10 however was kind of moved into 10. [Former head coach] Brad [Thorn] put me there to steer the ship and that is once I began understanding the sport.
“Even three years in the past, I didn’t have the data I’ve now in the best way to run the sport and do it higher. I made many errors.
“I performed a sport that did not swimsuit me. If I had extra of a voice and I had extra data, I would not have run the sport that method.
“I could not put my imprint on the sport as a result of a whole lot of it was lacking me. All I used to be, was going to be a ten sitting within the pocket, and that is not the way in which I play.
“I have to get my palms on the ball and create, and get the ball to our greatest gamers, however I’ve realized that within the final couple of years.
“If my physique is quick sufficient to do what my thoughts needs to do then let’s examine what can occur.” Coming off the bench within the Crusaders 33-25 win over the Hurricanes in Christchurch to open the season, the play-maker left a mark on the sport contributing to a number of attacking breaks in addition to a beautiful quick go to Will Jordan that finally result in a Sevu Reece attempt late within the conflict.
It was the right begin O’Connor was after after he made the transfer to Christchurch earlier this yr and with the Lions tour simply months away.
O’Connor has been out of the Wallabies jersey since 2022 and was open and sincere about his want to make his method again into gold for the upcoming Lions tour, revealing he’d spoken to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and had been given a sign of the place he stood coming into 2025.
“That (enjoying for the Crusaders) was in all probability the largest driver however that does play into the truth that I do wish to play for the Wallabies in that Lions sequence,” he stated.
“I’m very conscious the opposite guys have gotten a nod first, however I am simply placing that query on the market. If I am enjoying effectively sufficient and I am doing a job, why cannot I be within the query nonetheless?” “The final dialog I had with him was the center of final yr. I do not wish to put different coaches in there which have spoken on behalf of me and whatnot however the final dialog that was had was, ‘Look, we wish to give the younger guys a shot, go and do what you have to do’.
“Me going and doing what I’ve received to do continues to be placing myself within the query. It is a very slim probability it is going to occur, perhaps the opposite guys will step up and dominate.
“I simply wish to present that I am placing myself in that query and if I am doing effectively… perhaps I’ll flop however who is aware of. We’ll see.”
His look definitely captured the eye of Crusaders followers as he was given an enormous welcome by the neighborhood with one group of followers paying for his McDonald’s order post-match.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, O’Connor could be seen greeting the group in a automotive after they noticed the Wallabies star within the automotive behind them and paid for his meal.
James O’Connor has had an important welcome to Crusaders nation 🍟 #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/22C8PoUZ47
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) February 16, 2025
With the play-maker eligible to drag on the All Blacks jersey later this yr, it might be a case of New Zealand supporters trying to butter up the Australia, however given his dedication to make it again into the Wallabies arrange, it might be too little too late.
