Wallabies omit O’Connor after record Irish defeat

13 hours ago 4

The revolving door of the career of Wallabies five-eighth James O’Connor continues, with the veteran playmaker understood to have been omitted from the squad travelling to France for next Saturday’s Test at Stade de France.

O’Connor played every Test of the Rugby Championship, but was left out of the Wallabies squad for the defeat against Italy, before returning to start against Ireland in a record defeat in Dublin.

O’Connor’s inclusion in the Wallabies squad in Ireland came after Carter Gordon battled with a quad strain, which has inhibited him throughout the Spring tour and forced him to miss the Ireland defeat. Last Monday in Dublin, Gordon spoke of the impact of learning from O’Connor in training.

O’Connor had a challenging return for the Wallabies in wet conditions, making a poor pass to Max Jorgensen and fumbling a high kick from Irish playmaker Sam Prendergast early in the game.

O’Connor’s rust in Test rugby was noticeable after holidaying in Morocco, after not being needed while the Wallabies prepared to face Italy in Udine.

The five-eighth did work his way back into the game against Ireland, noticeably in defence and kicking out of hand, with coach Joe Schmidt addressing his contribution in Dublin after the game.

“I thought he (O’Connor) brought really good energy, probably put a couple of really nice touch kicks in, particularly that one that put us five metres out, (but) we didn’t take advantage of it, unfortunately,” Schmidt said.

“He made some really good tackles, I know that’s probably not what the out-half is valorised for, but he’s such a competitor.

“I thought we probably overreached a couple of times passing long in those wet conditions, I think maybe a shorter passing game and we’ll have a look at that.

“James is very good at self-analysis and having a look at the game. We’ll obviously catch up as a team and try to break that down, his game and others’ games.”

James O’Connor of Australia is tackled by Sam Prendergast.

It is unclear if O’Connor has played his last Test for the Wallabies after notably starting in August’s victory over South Africa in Johannesburg. O’Connor is a popular member of the squad who has become a key player for Leicester under former Wallabies assistant coach Geoff Parling.

The Wallabies travelled to Paris on Sunday, as the squad tries to rebound from three comprehensive defeats against England, Italy and Ireland against the fifth ranked team in the world.

France defeated Fiji on Saturday to record their first win in five Tests, after defeats to South Africa and in three successive games on tour against New Zealand.