SA Rugbymag

South African rugby news, fixtures, results, video, interviews, and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers/Western Province, Sharks, Cheetahs, Kings and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

You are here: Home ∼ O’Connor set for Wallabies comeback

O’Connor set for Wallabies comeback

James O'Connor at Wallabies training O'Connor set for Wallabies comeback
Published on July 3, 2019 | Leave a response

The Sale Sharks have released James O’Connor to allow the Australian to return to his home country and resurrect his Test career with the Wallabies.

O’Connor was into the final year of his three-year contract with the Premiership side, but director of rugby Steve Diamond has released him to join a Vodacom Super Rugby side.

While none of the Australian franchises has announced the deal yet, it appears the 28-year-old will join the Reds and play for them in next year’s Super Rugby campaign.

O’Connor was photographed at the Wallabies’ training camp in Brisbane on Wednesday, but it is understood that he is unlikely to be involved in their Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in Johannesburg on 20 July. He will instead keep training with the wider Wallabies squad.

‘I have nothing but positive words to say about my experience at Sale Sharks,’ O’Connor said in a statement. ‘They took me in and gave me an opportunity at a time in my life when I needed support and needed a chance to right my wrongs.

‘In Manchester, I was given a foundation to do that. I will be forever grateful to Steve Diamond, all the players and coaches, and the Sale Sharks supporters who have all helped facilitate my journey back to full power. Without the experience at Sale I would not have been able to grow and find my true self in a chaotic period of my life.’

O’Connor made his Test debut at just 18 years old in 2008, making him the second youngest Wallaby in Test history. Despite going on to win 44 Test caps for his country, starting games at fullback, wing, centre and flyhalf, O’Connor’s international career was cut short after a series of off-field incidents in 2013 resulted in his Rugby Australia contract being torn up.

A move to Europe followed, with O’Connor enjoying fruitful stints with London Irish and Toulon before returning to the Reds in 2015 in a bid to make the World Cup squad. After being overlooked, O’Connor went back to Toulon, but left the Top 14 club in 2017 after allegations of cocaine use. He joined the Sale Sharks at the beginning of the 2017-18 season and went on to play 32 times for the Manchester-based club, scoring 15 points.

Photo: Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley

Posted in Test Rugby, Top headlines Tagged James O'Connor, Test Rugby, Wallabies

Post by SA Rugby magazine

SA Rugby magazine

MPU #1 - (DESKTOP SIZE 300x250 / MOBILE SIZE 320x50, 300x250, 320x100)
← Previous Next →

Ratings: Du Toit one of the few standouts for Boks

The Boks faded in the second half to slump to a 22-17...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Duhan should be celebrated for his Lions success

Duhan van der Merwe’s achievements should be truly appreciated by South Africans,...

JdV: Boks-Lions have everything to play for

Performing in empty stadiums will be a key factor in the series...

Dynamic Dayimani: Forward to back

While he has been signed as an ‘edge’ forward, Hacjivah Dayimani could...

Boks have muscle memory to rely on

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are experts at finding solutions to tricky...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Team graphics: Springboks vs B&I Lions
  • Boks vs Lions (1st Test): Predict and WIN!
  • Lions team announcement: Duhan to front Boks
  • Teams: SA A vs Bulls
Boks

Why the Boks should be bullish

There is good reason for the Springboks to enter the British & Irish Lions series with confidence, writes MARK KEOHANE in the latest SA Rugby magazine.

  • Watch: Did Gatland’s words influence Jonker?


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals
×