Test coach Joe Schmidt says James O’Connor offers valuable experience to the Wallabies backline in the strongest sign yet the veteran will be selected to face the British and Irish Lions.
O’Connor left Queensland to play for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, helping steer the New Zealand heavyweights to second place on the ladder.
Because of this move Schmidt said the 34-year-old was a different case to others who had taken their career overseas to Japan or Europe or had committed to do so in the future.
“I’ve talked to James and we had a really good chat,” said Schmidt, who shared tips with Western Bulldogs AFL coach Luke Beveridge on Tuesday.
“With James, he’s still playing in our local comp, and he’s not based currently in Australia but I don’t think that precludes him.
“He’s a little bit closer to home and I think to continue to challenge himself, he took the Crusaders opportunity because at the Reds, you’ve got Tom Lynagh playing there, you’ve got Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, and they’re a couple of guys really on the upswing.”
O’Connor played the last of his 64 Tests in 2022 and Schmidt said his experience and versatility were important considering the greenness of the other flyhalf candidates.
“James, he would bring experience back into the group, a little bit of versatility in that he’s played 12 in his career as well.
“Both Tom (Lynagh), even Noah (Lolesio) last year, he’s still young in terms of international experience so with all those players, it’s nice to have an experienced head.
“Having come from the All Blacks in recent times where you had guys like Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga – between those three, they’ve got 200 Test match experience plus.
“So comparatively, it’s a very inexperienced group and James would bring that experience.”
Lynagh, who made his Test debut last year earning four caps, said O’Connor had been a mentor for him at the Reds before he left for Christchurch and felt if his form warranted it, the veteran should be selected.
“Of course. He’s still playing at a high level … the Crusaders are going really well,” said 22-year-old Lynagh, the son of Wallabies great Michael.
“I don’t see why not – everyone’s hands up for selection and Rabs (O’Connor) is going well.”
With the ACT Brumbies in third and Queensland fourth on the Super ladder, Schmidt said players involved could use the finals to push for selection.
“It’s got to be taken into consideration, doesn’t it? Once you get to those big play-off games, that’s the highest level they play outside of Test football, said Schmidt.
“So you want to add a little bit of extra weight onto those performances.”
