Bulldogs, Europeans keen on Force target O'Connor

[PeterM]

Western Force face a fight with NRL club Canterbury Bulldogs and interested Europeans for the signature of Wallaby James O'Connor.

The talented but wayward back-line star is tipped to return to the Force, where he started as a teenager, and he is expected to make a decision about his future next week, after Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup Test.

However, the Bulldogs have had talks with O'Connor's management as they prepare to lose Ben Barba to Brisbane Broncos.

And, although earlier rumours that O'Connor was having talks with Saracens were squashed by the English Premiership club when questioned by _The West Australian _, it is understood another big-spending European club has shown interest.

O'Connor's manager David Shand would not comment on the possibilities of a move to the NRL or Europe but did say his current priority was with Australian rugby and talks were moving in the right direction.

"Negotiations are ongoing with the ARU and remain very positive," Shand said.

O'Connor made his Super Rugby debut for the Force as a 17-year-old in 2008 before leaving under a cloud four years later when the club abruptly ended contract negotiations, claiming he had made excessive demands.

The Force have made O'Connor an offer to return, but it comes with strict conditions for a player with a history of problems fitting into team culture.

O'Connor spent two years at the Rebels after leaving the Force, but the Melbourne club refused to offer him a new contract at the end of the last Super season.

He may want to keep his options open, but a move from the Australian Rugby Union would prove costly if he still wants to play in the 2015 World Cup.

He could not be selected for Australia while playing offshore and if he returned to Super Rugby ahead of the World Cup, hopeful of gaining a spot, would not automatically qualify for an ARU top-up.

[hertryk]

The talented but wayward back-line star is tipped to return to the Force, where he started as a teenager, and he is expected to make a decision about his future next week, after Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup Test.




Here we go again... how many "next weeks" are there in JOC's diary..:. Jeepers...

[GIGS20]

Seriously, nobody cares!
If he signs with the Force it is an indication that he's had a bit of a think and wants to try not being such a dick. If he goes to NRL it'll be birds of a feather, If he goes to Europe he'll be making a grab for cash with no accountability.

There is no lose for the Force unless they take some of their conditions off the table.

[jargan83]

James O'Connor linked with whoever media scribe can think of

[Ecky]

Missive from RugbyWa to the two other clubs:

"No, stop; please don't, we want............... Oh, go on then; you have him"

[PeterM]

Getting to be a sad soap opera this whole affair either sign or don't

[Happy]

how long has David Shand been his manager ?

[Marty_Mcfly]

Another case of: "meh, slow news week..."

[zed]

Another case of: "meh, slow news week..."

There aren't too many union players who have never played league that have actually gone to league. Lots of rumours, but very few have made the move.

[GIGS20]

O'Connor played both as a kid, but was rejected for a contract because he was 'too small'

I think his manager is beating the media bushes looking for some leverage to negotiate a better price, or losing some of the anti-dick clauses.

Hold firm RugbyWA, he's no more important to us than the bloke who trims the mo of the cleaner's sister's boyfriend.

[sandgroperrugby]

I think the ARU are dragging their feet and to give JOC the benefit of the doubt maybe it is the ARU that is telling him next week, next week ........... and all he can do is tell the media the same thing.

[sittingbison]

James O'Connor linked with whoever media scribe can think of

jeez jargs thats being polite

[AndyS]

The Force response should have been the same as when he said he wasn't making any decisions until after the Bledisloes, and it should have been immediate and public along the lines of "OK, whatever". I think all the delays and articles are probably coming from his management, trying to create some sliver of a negotiating position to improve the position JO'C finds himself in. I just hope that if they do somehow unearth some nominal competing offer, the Force is prepared to call the bluff and walk away rather than soften their position. If not, they will have just sent him completely the wrong message.

[PeterM]

JOC with all this dragging on and cloak and dagger will I come won't I come mate.
I hope you don't come because the fanatical Sea Of Blue only want 22 blokes who will go balls out from first minute to last to get a win for the best rugby fans of any super 15 team and you sir have clearly shown you aren't up to the challenge

[MI5_Dog]

If I were JOC I’d be worried about joining The Force!
If we are willing to sack the top try scorer in the competition (as Alfi was at the time) when we really needed him, due to his 'behavioural issues', then that really shows how much we would be willing to sack JOC for a putting a single toe out of line.

Joining The Force when after being rejected by all the other Aussie Super 15 teams is bad enough but if he then got sacked ….
He’d be kissing his career goodbye.