I was in a bubble for six years: O'Connor
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...-london-irish/
Sacked Wallabies star James O'Connor is adamant joining London Irish is the right move for his life and sporting future, even if it could delay a return to the national side.
O'Connor on Tuesday signed with the English Premiership rugby union club for the rest of the season, saying he wanted to escape the "bubble" in Australia and become his own man.
The deal, which ends in May, will make it difficult for O'Connor to earn a Wallabies recall next year, with Australia coach Ewen McKenzie vowing only to consider those who are playing in Super Rugby.
O'Connor could conceivably return to Australia after his English contract expires and play up to six matches in the southern hemisphere competition, but he insists he hasn't thought about it.
With a long-term focus on the 2015 World Cup, O'Connor says he needs to focus on personal development first and believes the "family-oriented" English club offers the perfect environment.
"At the moment, I'm here until May and well decide what happens after that. See how I'm enjoying it and go from there," O'Connor said.
"I've only been made aware of (McKenzie's selection policy) recently.
"I'm not aware of the rules.
"Right now the best decision has been to come over here.
"I feel really good about it already.
"This is something I need to do."
O'Connor was released from the remainder of his 2013 contract and told he would not be offered a lucrative ARU top-up contract for 2014 after repeated disciplinary breaches.
The final straw came in an incident last month in which he was escorted from Perth Airport for drunken behaviour, the morning after he played on the wing in the Wallabies' Rugby Championship win against Argentina.
O'Connor, who already has 44 international caps, said he felt like he'd "been in a bit of a bubble in the last six years."
"It's been an amazing ride and every opportunity to pull on that gold jersey has been awesome," he said.
"But I've been protected quite a lot.
"I've made mistakes and haven't dealt with them in the way I'd like to.
"This opportunity gives me the opportunity to become my own man and work on that. It's a good environment to do so."
O'Connor will attend the opening match of Australia's European Tour against England at Twickenham on Saturday and said it would be tough sitting in the stands.
The troubled playmaker will then play fullback for his new club against Northampton on Sunday.
His signing is a significant coup for Irish and the club's boss Brian Smith said O'Connor deserved a second chance.
"We don't want him looking over his shoulder," Smith said.
"This is an opportunity to turn over a new leaf and crack on."
