Golden boy of Aussie rugby is growing up
AT THE age of 24 James O’Connor should be hitting the peak of his career.
Instead the Wallabies and Queensland Reds utility back is rebuilding after racking up a host of misdemeanours that bumbled a flourishing career.
In April 2008 O’Connor became the youngest Super Rugby debutant at the age of 17. In November that year, after turning 18, he became the second-youngest Wallaby.
While the versatile backline player established himself on the field, off-the-field incidents tainted his meteoric rise.
Too much too soon for the one-time Aussie rugby golden boy?
“People talk about the pressures — this and that — but for me I just enjoy rugby.
“When I’m not enjoying playing rugby, I’ll give it up. Right now it’s awesome,” O’Connor told the Sunday Times this week.
After taking a sabbatical from Australian rugby when he spent last year in Europe playing for London Irish in England and Toulon in France, the diminutive 1.8m, 88kg O’Connor took ownership of his mistakes. Now he wants to breathe new life into his career.
“I made some mistakes in the early part of my career,” he admitted.
“I had been playing for about seven years in Australia and that’s all I knew. I wouldn’t say it was a little bubble, but I’d say for me, I needed a change — turning my wheels a little bit when I went to London and France. I really got to learn a lot about the game. Working with guys like Jonny Wilkinson and playing with Matt Giteau again — those sort of guys really helped to develop my game,” he said.
“I’ve only shown about 80% of my talent. I still haven’t played to my true ability. When you train and play with guys that have been there — the best in the world — they rub off on you and it makes everyone reach up to that high level.”
The long list of roguery O’Connor found himself in over the years includes: ý Food fights at team hotels, ý Altercations with teammates Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale,
Sleeping in and missing the Wallabies 2011 official World Cup squad announcement,
Being caught at a fast-food outlet at 4am before a test match, and
I can hold my head high and say I always played my guts out. I know now that it’s all about having awareness
Being removed by police from Perth Airport for being intoxicated.
O’Connor now seems more mature than the youngster who often angered a number of senior players and coaches in Super Rugby and in the Wallabies team.
“I want to make my return to the Wallabies. That’s my goal.
“I dream about being in that World Cup team and winning that World Cup with the Wallabies,” he said.
“I was very privileged to be able to play for the Wallabies at such a young age. It was a great opportunity.
“I’ve come back with an intention, and that is to play for the Wallabies for a very long time.
“Every time I’ve put on the Wallabies jersey I’ve given 110%. I can hold my head high and say I always played my guts out. I know now that it’s all about having awareness — what upsets the team more. Obviously it’s a team game and sometimes you know your actions can have repercussions.”
A calf strain kept O’Connor out of action against the Bulls last night, but he will be back when the Reds take on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein next weekend.