STATEMENT FROM RUGBYWA: JAMES O’CONNOR

[PeterM]

I fear for the lad he obviously has problems and I don't think he will solve them by running away to another country which is a very difficult thing to do

You need a very good support network around you

[The InnFORCEr]

He'll have Bridgette with him
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[SNOB]

What will be will be. Good luck in Europe JOC. I think the Force would have been a great move for the Force and JOC but you have a finite earning time in this sport so money was always going to be a factor.
Maybe he will come back for the WC but I doubt it unless the ARU will be able to match his European salary.

Just found this

JAMES O'Connor is in negotiations with several European clubs for a short-term playing contract, but plans to resume his career with the Western Force in the longer term.
The Force on Wednesday announced O’Connor would not be signing a contract for the 2014 Super Rugby season.
“I have decided that I will be moving overseas next month as part of a short-term playing contract,” O’Connor said in a statement.
“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.
“I contacted Western Force today to inform them of my short term move overseas, but my management and I are continuing discussions with the Force about a longer term partnership. Both Michael Foley and Mark Sinderberry have been great supporters of mine and I greatly appreciate it.”
O’Connor is hopeful his stint in Europe will assist him in winning back his place in the Wallabies’ squad.
His decision comes on the back of the Australian Rugby Union’s decision not to offer him a contract in 2014 following a string of indiscretions, including being escorted from Perth Airport after a dispute with staff last month.
O’Connor played 38 games for the Force after starting his career in 2008, before switching to the Melbourne Rebels for the 2012 season.
“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.”
The Force released a statement this morning confirming the 23-year-old had chosen to look overseas to continue his career despite having been in talks with the WA club.
“We have been informed by James directly that he intends to continue his playing career in Europe for the being. The Western Force and RugbyWA wish him well in these endeavours,” RugbyWA chief executive Mark Sinderberry said.
“The Western Force has laid strong foundations of standards and values – particularly around earning respect – and our discussions with James included on and off-field programs that we believed could assist him in becoming the player he aspires to be and to develop himself as a person.
“James has made the decision that is right for him at this point in his playing career, and the club remains open to recommencing these discussions again in the future if James wishes to return to Ak


Read more: http://www.couriermail.com.au/other-...#ixzz2iW3GwS00

[Hansie]

I personally find the remarks about JOC "taking the easy option" as offensive in the extreme.

Until his airport escapade a few weeks back - his season was mapped out with the Wallabies at home, ending last weekend and the upcoming spring tour.

The Northern Hemisphere season is about to start, most clubs will have used up their budget and it would be doubtful there'd be millions on offer for him.

He leaves home and the network of family and friends to go to Europe or England where he has to find a home, make new friends, assimilate into the club, knowing full well his "baggage" will have arrived well ahead of him. Christmas away from home, cold and wet weather lies in wait, a bunch of French or English players keen to "line him up" and his support network a long way away.

I find it hard to define that as EASY.

I actually think it's a huge commitment and congratulate him to get out of Australia and head into an environment where he has no option but to stand on his own two feet. He will either sink or swim. I hope he swims and undoubtedly he'll leave Australia a precocious boy and come back and more humble man.

[The InnFORCEr]

It's easier than facing up to his problems, dealing with them in a mature way, getting paid only what he is entitled to and remaining dedicated to his future in Australian Rugby, as it is clear he want to come back.

IMHO, it's the easy way out.

[Kev]

Hansie's right, euro clubs have finalised their squads & respective budgets & started playing, this is an out for JOC, it's can't be a money decision. He can grow up & get a different perspective on things.
However, whilst I reckon it was a less difficult decision than H makes out perhaps he needs to leave his network of friends ... if he's to get on track for playing a professional sport.

[jargan83]

The Northern Hemisphere season is about to start, most clubs will have used up their budget and it would be doubtful there'd be millions on offer for him.

He leaves home and the network of family and friends to go to Europe or England where he has to find a home, make new friends, assimilate into the club, knowing full well his "baggage" will have arrived well ahead of him. Christmas away from home, cold and wet weather lies in wait, a bunch of French or English players keen to "line him up" and his support network a long way away.

Such a first world problem to go and play Rugby overseas and get paid a decent sized sum to do so

I guarentee you that he won't be heading to the NH to play for peanuts.

Kev might be close to the money about getting away from his friends such as Buddy and Quade.

However I still wish him luck in sorting himself out

[todd4]

Rightly or wrongly the media in Aust are going to dog his every move. Getting away from living in a fish bowl, even for the short term, is probably the right move.
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[Happy]

you're only ever in the media if you do stupid shit. I highly doubt any reporter will follow him if he went to training, went to game day, got a good nights sleep and honoured his sponsorship committments.

if however he is always getting "caught out" then of course the media will follow him.

for the record i think he has taken the easy way out

[AndyS]

So much for him being committed to earning his way back into the Wallabies, etc, etc. I agree with TiF - he took the easy out and the money is irrelevant.

If no-one wants much to do with him now, why will they in a year or so? Does he think that heading overseas for a year will have the ARU looking to reinstate his top-up, or have the teams that want nothing to do with him now keen to throw money at him? How will anyone know whether his attitude is improved or simply gone unreported? Aus rugby has been short good scrumhalves for ages and I've not heard much anything about Henjak getting into any trouble over there - has anyone been chasing him for a return?

[WF1964]

He's off to the land of to and froms:

O'Connor England-bound seeking fresh start
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...lay-in-europe/

I noticed, in an earlier article, he seemed to stress that this move is very short=term, ie months

[The InnFORCEr]

The loss of his ARU top-up for 2014 meant a massive financial blow to O'Connor's playing contract and he conceded some critics would believe this move was about money.

"If I was chasing money it's a lot more lucrative in Japan and France," he said.

"England's going to be tough rugby and it's going to be good for me off the field."

And they were full or didn't want you???

[zed]

I noticed, in an earlier article, he seemed to stress that this move is very short=term, ie months

I would have thought a European club would only recruit him if he is committed to play with them until the end of the season i.e April 2014, it's the latter part of the season (finals) when he will be required the most. I can't imagine that many clubs willing to fork out a wad load of cash for him to play 7 or 8 games.

[WF1964]

I would have thought a European club would only recruit him if he is committed to play with them until the end of the season i.e April 2014, it's the latter part of the season (finals) when he will be required the most. I can't imagine that many clubs willing to fork out a wad load of cash for him to play 7 or 8 games.

What about a short-term injury cover, like what Ben Whittaker got with Biarritz

[SinBin]

Can just see the headline - O'Connor abuses Easyjet staff before boarding his flight to party island Mallorca..
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