James O’Connor is quietly sticking his hand up for a Wallabies recall on the eve of this summer’s Lions Test series in what would be an incredible comeback.
It is now 12 years since the 34-year-old made his debut for Australia against Italy in 2008. He would then go on to return a whopping 279 points across 64 caps for the Wallabies.
The Aussie has, though, endured a rollercoaster journey during his distinguished career.
Once dubbed Australia’s ‘golden boy’ after making his international debut at 18, O’Connor was embroiled in multiple off-field incidents that had threatened to derail his career.
In 2013, he was dropped from Australia’s squad following a drunken incident at Perth Airport.
O’Connor had previously opened up on the Offload podcast on how the period had impacted him, claiming that his body was ‘broken’ after years of alcohol and drug use. He even recounted how on an away trip, members of his squad had thought he had died after having a seizure on a coach back from the match.
Aussie rugby union star James O’Connor could be in with a shout of getting a surprise Test recall, according to one former Wallabies star
O’Connor (pictured with partner Bridget) moved from the Reds to play for the Crusaders in new Zealand
‘I was in a pretty dark place, I was doing everything. I was just playing around, burning the candle at both ends,’ he said.
‘I was still playing rugby but I was out often and a lot, wasn’t sleeping much because we were on road trips and flying here, flying to this country, going down here and I had a little head knock after we played a game and on the team bus we just had a… it was a good win away so we just got into it and I ended up having a seizure on the bus and it was hectic.
‘I can’t remember so it wasn’t that hectic for me but it was pretty hectic after. I think people were traumatised, I remember Delon Armitage saying “I thought you died”. It was f***ed so yeah it was pretty hectic and that was the first wake-up call when I was like: “OK I need to rein it in a bit”. It was just a bit at that stage and then it happened one more time and I was like: “OK, f***, alright.”
‘It happened again, yeah. It wasn’t a head knock this time, they did the full examinations and everything tested me for epilepsy, but literally, I was just burnt out.
‘The first one I think was a mixture of everything – drinking a lot, taking a lot and the head knock and the second time I was just so fatigued, burning the candle at both ends and it just happened.’
After seeking professional help, the utility back – who can play No 10, in the centres or at full-back – has returned and is currently plying his trade with the Crusaders.
After joining the Kiwi outfit from the Reds over the off-season, the 34-year-old has shone for Rob Penney’s side.
But the 34-year-old previously opening up on some darker times during his rugby journey
Once dubbed Australia’s ‘golden boy’ after making his international debut at 18, O’Connor was embroiled in multiple off-field incidents that had threatened to derail his career
He would recover from those problems and would go on to return to play for Australia, making his last international appearance in 2022
The Crusaders finished 9th in Super Rugby Pacific last season, with the 12-time champions, who won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, while also winning Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2020 and 2021, having slumped to the lower reaches of the table following a slump in form.
Now, following the addition of the former Queensland star, they’re back firing on all cylinders. The New Zealand outfit has lost just two games this season having climbed back to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder with six wins.
O’Connor has featured in all eight of those games this season, primarily coming off the bench and notably touched down for a try in their recent victory away to the Hurricanes.
But having taken stock of the playmaker’s quick hands and dancing feet, some believe he’s in the frame for selection, as Joe Schmidt looks to pick his squad to face the Lions.
Should he join up with the squad and don the green and gold jersey, it would be the first time he’s played for the men’s senior side since the Autumn Nations Cup in 2022. Interestingly, O’Connor moonlighted in a role for Australia A last year, in Tests against Tonga and Portugal.
Former Wallaby and Stan Sport commentator Morgan Turinui believes O’Connor could be recalled to play against the Lions but believes he may not feature in their Test XV.
‘James O’Connor’s gone from being asked whether he’d be interested in corporate hospitality gigs in the Lions series to high performance, high echelon people in Australian rugby considering (a recall),’ he said to Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts Podcast.
‘He’s been excellent. I’m not talking starting XV, this is in camp with the Wallabies for a month preparing. To win a Lions series, it’s a useful guy to have there, that knows the pitfalls of what happened 12 years ago.
Having taken stock of the playmaker’s (pictured) quick thinking and creativity, some believe he could be included in Joe Schmidt’s squad for this summer’s Lions Series
Ex-Wallaby Morgan Turinui claimed O’Connor (pictured) has gone from being offered corporate seats to being asked if he wants to play in the Lions series
Interestingly, O’Connor had turned out for Australia’s A side for two Tests against Tonga and Portugal last year
‘He is mature, has grown up, he’s a man now.’
With O’Connor playing for the Crusaders, he could qualify to play for Australia this winter as one of the team’s overseas players under the ‘Giteau Law’. Only three players not plying their trade in Australia can be selected under the law.
O’Connor’s experience, having played the game at the highest level, makes him an excellent member to have in the squad for this summer’s Tests.
But ahead of this summer’s series, he’s also been giving his verdict on who Schmidt could pick to play against the Lions.
It comes as questions were raised over fly-half Noah Lolesio’s position in the side after he opted to move to Japan earlier this month.
But should he be unavailable to play, O’Connor believes three players could step up to fill the gap.
“The three guys that stand out for me are Tom Lynagh, Ben Donaldson and Lawson Creighton,” O’Connor said.
“Tom has been playing in a good Reds outfit, he’s been goalkicking really well, he’s controlling the game really well.
O’Connor’s experience, having played the game at the highest level, makes him an excellent member to have in the squad for this summer’s Test
“What he’s doing is underplaying, so he’s not trying to create too much, he’s got the centres like Hunter (Paisami) and he’s got a pack with Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, who are ball players.
‘The three guys that stand out for me are Tom Lynagh, Ben Donaldson and Lawson Creighton,’ O’Connor said to The Good, The Bad & The Rugby Podcast.
‘Tom has been playing in a good Reds outfit, he’s been goalkicking really well, he’s controlling the game really well.
‘What he’s doing is underplaying, so he’s not trying to create too much, he’s got the centres like Hunter (Paisami) and he’s got a pack with Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, who are ball players.
‘He’s underplaying his hand but when he gets his moments, he’s making line breaks and you’re seeing him come into his own.
‘Ben Donaldson has got a big kick on him, he’s probably the most creative. He takes the ball to the line, he’s got great speed, good under the high ball.
‘The one thing with him is he’s playing with the Force and they’re close to the top of the table this year, which is pretty awesome, but he hasn’t had much time in those physical battles.
‘A lot of the footy they’ve been playing has been more sideline to sideline, a bit more creative, whereas the Wallabies and Test footy is a lot more warfare.
‘The guy I’m excited about most is Lawson Creighton, the Waratahs 10. I was at the Reds with him for a couple of years, he’s just a really good game manager and I think he would suit Test footy.
‘The way he sees the game, he doesn’t make mistakes, he communicates really well, decent kick, big body as well and can tackle.’
