James O'Connor coming to Europe

http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/james-oconnor-to-play-in-europe-next-year-20131023-2w0pz.html


'Exiled Wallabies star James O'Connor says he remains hopeful of representing Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup despite planning a short-term move to play in England.
O'Connor revealed on Wednesday he was in talks with several English clubs about a deal "for a few months", but was eyeing a return to the Western Force and the Wallabies afterwards.
His decision comes after he had his contract with the Australian Rugby Union terminated earlier this month and he was suspended from the Wallabies for the rest of the year in the wake of an incident at Perth airport and previous off-field behavioural issues.

The Force had been his last avenue to continue playing professionally in Australia after he was unwanted back at the Melbourne Rebels, with other Super Rugby clubs expressing no interest.
"I have decided that I will be moving overseas next month as part of a short-term playing contract," O'Connor said.
"I am in final discussions with several clubs and will announce the new partnership in coming days.
"I believe the move, for a few months, will be beneficial for me to develop in a different environment and help me be the best rugby player and person that I can be.
"It will also ensure that I continue playing professional rugby immediately and not wait until early in the New Year to resume competition."
O'Connor said his management was continuing discussions with the Western Force about a future deal and he could possibly play the latter stages of the next Super Rugby season.
"Both (coach) Michael Foley and (chief executive) Mark Sinderberry have been great supporters of mine and I greatly appreciate it," he said.
"The past few weeks have given me an opportunity to look at all aspects of my life both professionally and personally," he said.
"I want to give myself every opportunity to get back into the Wallabies side and to represent Australia in the 2015 World Cup."
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie had expressed interest in helping the 23-year-old veteran of 44 Tests to get back on track.'

Where do we think he's headed folks?

According to planet rugby it is London Irish he is headed to! Would be surprised at that. Would possibly have thought Sale since him and Cipriani are such good friends!

Not sure, CJ, but I can honestly say that I wouldn't want him at the Chiefs nor wish him on any team in the NH (well, I can think of one or two that are deserving ... )

Could Quins not get him on injury dispensation given our current situation?

Not sure O'Shea would be a fan of his personality, but you never know.

Same goes for Leicester.

Probably Bath.

Leicester have a number of centre injuries I believe?

Perhaps they could take him on injury dispensation - and maybe even sort him out a little?

The Henson and O'Connor show then?

beshocked wrote:Probably Bath.

Why?

Bathite wrote:

beshocked wrote:Probably Bath.

Why?

not sure - with Barritt out till January, surely Saracens could want him. Added bonus Oktoberfest is finished so cannot get drunk there.

The reference to JOC playing "in England" is either literally correct and he's'only talking to Jeff clubs or it is classically lazy journalism believing England to be an adequate synonym for 'Europe'. I think the former.

Sarries having him at centre is the obvious one but Leicester would also be good for him as Cockerill would tear him a new one if he tried to maintain his current "thirsty" behaviour.

The article specifically makes reference to England, however Leinster would be a good fit for him I think. They are a bit short in the backs and the style of play would suit him.

Bathite it's because you are perhaps one of the only clubs who could afford to bring him in.

vietgwentrevisited no I don't think he will come to Saracens.

We have Bosch anyway. Plus Mr utility Chris Wyles.

majestic83 actually London Irish wouldn't surprise. Probably room in the cap. Could slot in nicely.

beshocked wrote:Bathite it's because you are perhaps one of the only clubs who could afford to bring him in.

vietgwentrevisited no I don't think he will come to Saracens.

We have Bosch anyway. Plus Mr utility Chris Wyles.

majestic83 actually London Irish wouldn't surprise. Probably room in the cap. Could slot in nicely.

I doubt we could afford him, we've got a marquee player and many of the squad took pay cuts to get under the cap this year. We've also got no obvious candidate for an injury replacement. He's a world class player, but I don't see where he'd fit in. He's a very similar player to Kyle Eastmond in many ways

Bathite wrote:

beshocked wrote:Probably Bath.

Why?

He loves a white line

Bathite oh right. I only presumed that because your owner has deep pockets he could find a way. Looks like I am wrong.

O Connor is an utility back. He could fit in most positions. Most obvious is full back.

It would worry me if Leicester got him but would make sense for both O Connor and Leicester.

beshocked wrote:Bathite oh right. I only presumed that because your owner has deep pockets he could find a way. Looks like I am wrong.

You, as well as anyone know full well there is a salary cap, so don't speculate.

Remember wherever he goes it is only for a couple of months or so as he wants a contract for SXV with the Force.

Bathite there is a salary cap but there have of course been rumours that there are ways round this.

So it makes sense for him to join someone who hasn't spent all the cap - Irish or someone who needs injury dispensation - Tigers or someone who has the cash to do so - Leinster.

Hence my point, Bath is very unlikely, it is naive, lazy to assume so.

They will probably go and sign him now...

beshocked wrote:Bathite there is a salary cap but there have of course been rumours that there are ways round this.

Are there? What's that then? Heard any about Saracens?

If he's only there for a couple of months, how is his relative salary in the cap calculated?

ChequeredJersey wrote:If he's only there for a couple of months, how is his relative salary in the cap calculated?

Whatever he is paid for his short visit is added to the salray pot to be compared with the salary cap (so they do not pro-rata it to an annual amount). Of course if he is an injury replacement then the injured player will have their salary removed for the period JOC replaces them.

So, adding in the fact that people think he will have to take a pay cut for his misdemeanours, he'd probably actually be pretty cheap?

Injury cover for JTH at 12? Would have to stop him from being left alone in a room with Danny of course...

we could desperately do with him at the moment, but i think he is a negative influence. the whole "star" culture around Aus elite rugby does create some seriously disruptive players -cooper, ashley-cooper, beale. would rather not have him near any of our younger players.

If he tries anything off, Brown will sort him out. A lot of our players were actually known for attitude problems themselves (Brown, Care, Williams over the B word, Marler who seems to have relapsed a bit) but they sorted most of them out as they've matured, I'm sure they'd act to keep JOC in line

i just worry o'connor would think of the few months as a paid party trip/holiday in london. he is gifted, undoubtedly, but not necessarily the most mature.

too many Walkabouts in and around London?

Bathite wrote:

beshocked wrote:Bathite there is a salary cap but there have of course been rumours that there are ways round this.

Are there? What's that then? Heard any about Saracens?

Not heard any personally about Sarries myself but there have been accusations that certain clubs break the salary cap.

Several are getting shut down actually

Who's the strictest coach on discipline, that is what he needs most.

Biltong wrote:Who's the strictest coach on discipline, that is what he needs most.

That'll be Cockerill I'd imagine. No room for egos in that changing room (his already fills it!)

Biltong wrote:Who's the strictest coach on discipline, that is what he needs most.

Deano?

not sure JOC would be up for a winter in Newcastle though

Where ever he goes, they must use him as a wing or fullback, I simply don't believe he is that great a ten. He is a player that has individual skills, his strength lies in what he can set up for himself and what others can set up for him to finish.

After watching him over the past season he has few moments of brilliance at fly half, but is much more effective when he doesn't have the responsibility of organising his backline attacks, playing others into space , offloading etc.

I've thought for a long while that he'd be best at 12. He played some of his best rugby for the Force and Rebels there.

He hasn't played there much of late, in fact I can't remember that he played one game there this season.

But again, 12 is a play maker for the rest of the backline, not his best skillset in my opinion. He finishes well, and can break the line with space from deep, that is his biggest strengths I believe.

If he is coming on a short term contract then it is likely to be as injury cover as his salary won't be counted in the cap. Therefore logically Saracens as a replacement for Barritt or Leicester as a replacement for Allen would make sense. Of course some clubs may have room in their cap but I would imagine those than can afford it will have spent up to it.

Or Quins for JTH? He's out till January

Agree with Biltong, his best position is in the back 3, or maybe 13 at a stretch.

Send him over to Tigers, we'll look after him. We straightened out Tuquiri and got him firing again.

A short term contract shouldn't be too expensive and with Goneva now injured as well we need a bit of cover. We can easily claim injury dispensation to cover him. Put him up in the Murphy household (as was originally done with Scully, not that he was an issue) and he'll be kept in line (and possibly taught how to drink).

As an England fan, maybe we don't want to straighten him out! A fit and firing JOC will be very dangerous come 2015

Hey, Conor has experience straightening out backs with a drinking problem! He can cover for injured Ugo

                                                             

Toulon?

quinsforever wrote:

Biltong wrote:Who's the strictest coach on discipline, that is what he needs most.

Deano?

not sure JOC would be up for a winter in Newcastle though

He'd be up for the nightlife though?  

Really cant see him comig to us....although having had 3 retirees this season we definately have money available and with a distinct lack of spark in the backs it could be a possibility...

He can come to the Blues and play out on the wing, that'll give us a back 3 of Cuthbert/Halfpenny/JOC

I'll personally look after him while hes here.

He's coming to Irish gents.  

He'll have to do some deep soul searching if he really wants to get himself back together. The 2015 RWC is out for him, so he needs to 2-3 years away from the SH, go back to basics and get himself set for the 2019 RWC, as he will only be 30 if I am correct.

8Studs wrote:He'll have to do some deep soul searching if he really wants to get himself back together.  The 2015 RWC is out for him, so he needs to 2-3 years away from the SH, go back to basics and get himself set for the 2019 RWC, as he will only be 30 if I am correct.

Why is RWC 2015 out?

If, as he says this is just a couple of months till he gets a deal with the Force - well if he gets his stuff together and performs in SXV he will be back in the Aussie set up pretty quickly.

Just the impression I get. I agree if he gets his life sorted he should feature for Aus in the 2015 RWC.