O'Connor heading back Down Under

[jono]

Wallaby utility back James O'Connor has confirmed that he will return to Australia to play Super Rugby in 2015.

London Irish revealed that the Australian International, O'Connor, will leave the club at the end of the season - after completing his six month contract.

O'Connor indicated that his wish is to play in the 2015 Super Rugby competition in the build up to the World Cup.

That schedule could only have allowed London Irish to sign another short-term deal which doesn't fit with the club's future plans.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at London Irish and I'm looking forward to the next few months," O'Connor said.

"The club welcomed me in with open arms last year in what was a difficult time and have been brilliant to me during my time so far.

"I've learnt a great deal both on and off the field and will leave at the end of the season with great memories and mates too.

"I would particularly like to express my gratitude to the owners of the club, especially Mick Crossan who is a passionate Irishman with great visions for this special club. I will be following closely to see how the boys get on and who knows what might happen further down the line."

London Irish Director of Rugby, Brian Smith said: "James is a world class player who has had a very positive impact on the team and I'm sure he'll play his heart out for us until the end of the season.

"He will head back to Australia in 2015 to follow his World Cup dream and the Club wishes him well with that. If the opportunity ever arises in the future then he will always be welcome back at London Irish."

source: http://www.rugby365.com/article/5822...ack-down-under

The Plot Thickens.

[GIGS20]

Believe it when I see it

[sandgroperrugby]

So what is he going to do from April to November when preseason starts this year.

[Alison]

Sign up with a team for the ARC?!

Think he's with Irish until the end of May.

[sandgroperrugby]

Maybe 7's to keep fit?

[jono]

Probably Shute shield?
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[blueandblack]

Probably Shute shield?
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or the QLD equivalent

[Hansie]

Be awesome to see him play for Cott and bring a lot of interest into community rugby. Then to play for Rugby WA in the NRC.

[valzc]

Methinks it's more like this whole bloody drama series by the JOC media camp is just a contrived plan to talk him up at how great and wonderful everything is for him at London Irish, how 'brilliantly' he's been playing BLAH BLAH BLAH so that when it comes time he wants to return home and pitch for a Wallabies berth, he's hoping other clubs might be interested in him again & his management can resume their wheeling dealing crap playing the Force off against other clubs! IMHO why should the Force even bother with him? He 's never going to be a long term commitment & he's more trouble than he's worth.

[GAFFA]

As big a dick he is and has been ppl want to watch him play he puts bums on seats and god knows the Force need that.
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[WFDom]

Methinks it's more like this whole bloody drama series by the JOC media camp is just a contrived plan to talk him up at how great and wonderful everything is for him at London Irish, how 'brilliantly' he's been playing BLAH BLAH BLAH so that when it comes time he wants to return home and pitch for a Wallabies berth, he's hoping other clubs might be interested in him again & his management can resume their wheeling dealing crap playing the Force off against other clubs! IMHO why should the Force even bother with him? He 's never going to be a long term commitment & he's more trouble than he's worth.

Nail on the head Valzc!!!

[SNOB]

I've been prepared to forgive and forget but I now think he's more trouble than he's worth. Bin him and move on. After spending a great morning with all the lads, who are all buzzing with energy and passion, I don't think they or we need an ego in the team.

[Alison]

Apparently, the first the Force knew about his decision to finish with Irish at the end of their season and come back to Aus for the 2015 Super season was when they saw the media stuff yesterday.

Great way to treat the only S15 franchise prepared to even talk to him last year. What an arrogant, selfish egotist he is :-/

Really hope no-one takes him, most of all the Force!

[westies man]

The man is misunderstood and just needs to be given a chance.He won't let us down

[James]

I don't know about the other Super franchises but I would only accept O'Connor back if he either a) signed on for two years or b) signed on for one year and signed up for the Olympic 7s team for 2016. There is no value in having a potentially disruptive player join the team for 1 year. It adds no value.