Striving to be perfect 10

O’Connor feels he’s finding his feet in key position

WALLABIES five- eighth James O’Connor has revealed his frustration at playing in the centres during last year’s World Cup, but says he only felt he belonged in the No. 10 Test jersey a fortnight ago when he started against the All Blacks.

Having played at first receiver during the losing 2013 British & Irish Lions series, O’Connor has had a long and looping journey back to the key position, playing fullback and even wing.

He was sacked by Australian rugby for off- field infringements in 2014 and played different backline positions for European clubs, returned to Australia briefly and left again before he was recalled for the Wallabies’ 2019 World Cup campaign at outside centre.

“I’m not going to lie, I came back to Australia rugby as a centre, centre, I’ve played in that World Cup and it did frustrate me because I couldn’t give my all,” O’Connor said.

“I felt like I wasn’t involved as much as I would have liked. You want to go out there knowing that you’ve done the job. So I went back to the drawing board with one of my coaches and we sat down and chatted. How can I take my game forward? And it was, if the opportunity came step up at 10.

“And funnily enough, after sort of Round 1 in Super Rugby, that opportunity came ( with Queensland Reds) and it was still a big learning curve because I hadn’t played 10 in six years.

“So I was picking it up on the run and taking knowledge from different guys.

“But I guess the COVID up, to break for me was pretty big in terms of the amount of analysis I put into the game, into my personal game, and just watching a lot of the most efficient 10s in the world and then also just getting my skill- set up to scratch.

“Each week has been learning on the run. I’ve learnt literally from playing the Bulls, learnt a big amount in terms of pressure and kicking game and then moving

Rugby AU.

“I felt sort of comfortable there now. And I feel I can bring my own element to 10 and now I’m really enjoying it. And I feel like this is my best shot to give my all here.”

O’Connor is set to retain the jersey for the third Bledisloe Test against New Zealand on Saturday at ANZ Stadium, with Brumbies rookie Irae Simone set to replace the injured Matt To’omua at inside centre. to the

Super