Branding a British & Irish Lions collection larger than a Rugby World Cup, James O’Connor has revealed his gross sales pitch for a Take a look at recall to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
Thriving on the Crusaders, O’Connor says he has had a “good dialog” with Schmidt about immediately being within the body for a shock return for the Lions’ blockbuster three-Take a look at collection in Australia this winter.
“I would like it unhealthy,” the 34-year-old mentioned after coming off the bench to play one other starring cameo position within the Crusaders’ 48-33 Tremendous Rugby Pacific win over the NSW Waratahs final Friday.
“I would like to be concerned with the Wallabies once more.”
“I am underneath no phantasm that there is different guys who’re taking part in very well and there is recent younger males and guys who’re coming into their prime who’re doing an awesome job for his or her golf equipment as properly,” O’Connor added.
“However I do really feel like I may add one thing. Any half I can play to assist us beat the Lions. I am nonetheless bitter concerning the final tour, so I would like us to get this win.
“I really feel like I am transferring higher than I’ve in a very long time and I am reinvigorated and eager to play.”
It had been assumed the Wallabies’ fly-half position was a race in three between Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson.
However, with not one of the trio making compelling claims, O’Connor is adamant he may do the job and, as a 34-year-old Dan Carter proved on the 2015 World Cup for the All Blacks, having an older head may work for Schmidt.
O’Connor was solely 23 when Robbie Deans thrust him into the No.10 position for the Wallabies’ 2-1 collection loss to the Lions in 2013.
The veteran feels a much more full chief playmaker 12 years on, having solely first been handed the fly-half job on a two-Take a look at spring tour in 2011.
“I used to be at all times in Robbie’s ear to provide me a crack,” O’Connor mentioned.
“In 2013, I did not shrink back from it however I had a chip on my shoulder, for positive, so I assumed I used to be the best. I assumed I may do the job.
“I had no concept about learn how to run a recreation or handle a recreation. That Lions collection, it simply confirmed me how a lot I did not know.”
O’Connor confessed to being schooled within the 41-16 third-Take a look at loss in Sydney by wily Lions like Jonathan Davies and Brian O’Driscoll when the collection was on the road.
“I did not know what to do in that second. I would by no means been in it earlier than and I wasn’t sensible sufficient, did not have the sport information to have the ability to get that momentum again,” he mentioned.
His game-managing smarts got here after he ventured abroad in 2013.
“Went to Toulon and began studying from Gits (Matt Giteau) and Jonny Wilkinson and even selecting Ma’a Nonu’s mind and Bryan Habana’s and all these type of guys,” he mentioned.
“I moved to Sale and I spent a number of time with AJ MacGinty and in addition Faf de Klerk and understanding how they play the sport after which I meshed all of it into my very own once I got here again to the Reds.”
“I am not the completed product however I have been studying for the previous 5 years.”
Deployed principally at fullback and centre on the 2011 and 2019 World Cups, O’Connor personally reckons a Lions collection would not evaluate as equal to a worldwide showpiece.
“It is larger, man,” he mentioned. “World Cups are unimaginable however the Lions, I used to be blown away.
“I grew up watching league and union, however by no means actually watched a Lions collection earlier than and the older gamers had mentioned how massive it was.
“However I used to be like, “Oh, look, I’ve carried out a World Cup earlier than, cool, like it will probably’t be larger than a World Cup.
“Nevertheless it’s simply two groups and I keep in mind each place we have been in, whether or not it was Brisbane or Melbourne or Sydney, it was simply 60,000 individuals.
“Each time we left the lodge, we have been simply bombarded and it isn’t just like the British are quiet. They’re on the piss at 10am, so that you’re getting heckled simply strolling up the road.
“It was superior, nice banter, but it surely was fairly overwhelming. One other degree.”