Brumbies give up on O'Connor

[travelling_gerry]

Chris Dutton, Canberra Times | June 9, 2009 - 12:18PM


The ACT Brumbies will no longer pursue the signature of boom Wallabies teenager James O'Connor for the 2010 Super 14 season.

Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said yesterday the club was "moving on" from its attempt to lure O'Connor to the capital and follow in the footsteps of flyhalf Matt Giteau.

"I'm actually working pretty firmly on the basis that he will stay over there [in Perth] and that hasn't changed," Fagan said.

"I've got nothing to suggest he's coming to us, we're sort of moving on in that regard and making plans and we have been probably for the last three weeks."

Fagan said the Brumbies would still invest in a young outside back, but a decision was not likely in the coming weeks.

The Brumbies had been considered favourites to gain talented utility back O'Connor when Mark Gerrard announced he was leaving Canberra to start a stint in Japan.

Despite the 18-year-old being in camp with the Wallabies in Canberra this week, Fagan and O'Connor will not meet.

Fagan said he had not completely ruled out signing O'Connor, but they were exploring other options in the meantime.

O'Connor is still undecided on his future, and said there was no time frame on his decision.

"I'm still a little while off making a decision, it's a big decision for me so I just want to wait and make the right one," O'Connor told The Canberra Times.

"It is coming to a close but I've got no news just yet."

While O'Connor is unlikely to join the two-time Super champions, trio Peter Kimlin, Mark Chisholm and Salesi Ma'afu have agreed to terms with the Brumbies and are just finalising specific details.

Following the signing of Rocky Elsom, the Brumbies have offered Mitchell Chapman a new deal and expect a decision on his future by the end of the week.

Chapman's flanker partner Julian Salvi will leave to join a team in either Europe or Japan.


http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...313122948.html

[Tazzmania]

Now whats going on, these reporters are putting us on an emotional roller coaster!

[James]

Great news for us. If true. Could be a ploy to spur him into action. I must admit that I am a little disappointed that the Reds chose not to pick up either Salvi or Robinson who are both Super 14 standard and Australian instead of talk of Daniel Braid re-signing. Either one would be a great long term option.

[jazza93]

Good news

[tdevil]

It's called Reverse Psychology

[Flamethrower]

Aww why did he have to come out and say that?

Now the Reporters from the East will have to find a new story.

[JediKnight]

Confirms the inside word on the street here in Perth.

Looks like the Eastern States journos have been spouting sh*t for the last couple of months (so what's new?!) as they scrape together the pickings of a story.

[Big Boots]

"Brumbies give up on O'Connor"

4 hours seems to be a long day in Canberra.

"Brumbies don't have a clue what they are doing" should be the headline out in 2 hours.

Just goes to show its all speculative wank.

[AndyS]

This article is just as speculative as all the ones saying he is heading to the Brumbies. But there is an additional subtext, when Fagan has chosen to make a quote - the real guts of this article is:

"I've got nothing to suggest he's coming to us, we're sort of moving on in that regard and making plans and we have been probably for the last three weeks."
(Ooohh, we're going, going, going, going....)
Fagan said the Brumbies would still invest in a young outside back, but a decision was not likely in the coming weeks.
(but we're not gone yet, so call now and you can get a free set of steak knives while stock last...)

[Flamethrower]

Fagan said the Brumbies would still invest in a young outside back, but a decision was not likely in the coming weeks.

Maybe they're after SBW.

[mudskipper]

Chris Dutton, Canberra Times | June 9, 2009 - 12:18PM


The ACT Brumbies will no longer pursue the signature of boom Wallabies teenager James O'Connor for the 2010 Super 14 season.

"I've got nothing to suggest he's coming to us, we're sort of moving on in that regard and making plans and we have been probably for the last three weeks."

Fagan said the Brumbies would still invest in a young outside back, but a decision was not likely in the coming weeks.

Despite the 18-year-old being in camp with the Wallabies in Canberra this week, Fagan and O'Connor will not meet.

Fagan said he had not completely ruled out signing O'Connor, but they were exploring other options in the meantime.

O'Connor is still undecided on his future, and said there was no time frame on his decision.

"I'm still a little while off making a decision, it's a big decision for me so I just want to wait and make the right one," O'Connor told The Canberra Times.

"It is coming to a close but I've got no news just yet."


http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...313122948.html

So its looks like that fact that James O'Connor & council can't make a decision the decision will be made for them...

Indecisive management rarely makes a good decision and often only watches opportunities in life pass by… To lose the opportunity to make a decision is directionless and rather poor management no matter which team he chose… I can understand the Brumbies moving on… Best to be progressive…

If JO’C has hitched his career path to prop up the depleted Force good luck to him… I hope he makes it work… Otherwise he best get down to Brumby HQ and come to an agreement as Fagan isn’t a man who can’t make a decision… the Brumbies always have direction…

[welshrugbyfan]

Brumbies "We don't want you"

JOC's manager "OK but we'll take a pay cut and he'll sign for alot less"

Brumbies "Here's a pen"

We should get SBW...

[sandgroperrugby]

The force must have offered a shite load of money for him to be taking so long.

[Timbo]

I'm with tdevil - Fagan by name, Fagan by nature. The manipulation of the young and innocent to meet your own sinister ends!!

[Flamethrower]

So its looks like that fact that James O'Connor & council can't make a decision the decision will be made for them...

Indecisive management rarely makes a good decision and often only watches opportunities in life pass by… To lose the opportunity to make a decision is directionless and rather poor management no matter which team he chose… I can understand the Brumbies moving on… Best to be progressive…

If JO’C has hitched his career path to prop up the depleted Force good luck to him… I hope he makes it work… Otherwise he best get down to Brumby HQ and come to an agreement as Fagan isn’t a man who can’t make a decision… the Brumbies always have direction…

That's the saddest most desperate post I've read.