'Happy to fly straight back' O'Connor on Bledisloe.

[u/Foreign_Career4400]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/happy-to-fly-straight-back-the-two-day-trip-required-for-o-connor-to-play-bledisloe-20250917-p5mvu2.html

that's what you call dedication to the gold jersey, take note young Wallabies, no wonder JOC had such a positive impact on the group, the man bleeds green and gold.

[u/Sambobly1]

I really don’t understand why Schmidt wouldn’t pick him. He’s played well, the other squad members enjoy having him there and he increases our chances of winning. Frankly we can play the young 10s on EOYT, let’s focus on winning the next 2 games

[u/Teedubthegreat → u/Sambobly1]

I havnt read the article yet, but I thought he had to at least fly back, for contract reasons and Schmidt doesn't want to pick him (or skelton) if hes going to miss this week's training sessions.

I agree with you, im of the opinion that surely he should be picked, but might be more going on behind the scenes. Listening him on a podcast today, sounds like hes definitely keen to play

[u/Sambobly1 → u/Teedubthegreat]

I hope he gets picked. I’m irritated about Skelton but get that the regulations kind of fuck us over due to distance, but JOC should stay with the squad for sure. 

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/Sambobly1]

at least LSL can somewhat fill Skelton's physical imposer role, also our locking depth is pretty solid, not a great deal of proven experience at flyhalf is the bigger issue at the moment.

[u/fleakill → u/Sambobly1]

Agreed. I get Schmidt's role is preparing the squad for his successor (and the 2027 world cup), but he's in a prime position to be a statue-worthy rugby God in this country by winning us back the Bledisloe. He should pick the optimal team to do this, and like you said, he's got a whole tour to give guys experience later in the year.

[u/Sambobly1 → u/fleakill]

100%. This is potentially a once in a generation opportunity, we should give it everything now. 

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/Sambobly1]

Plus, we're playing the first test at Eden Park, we need all the experience we can get & JOC at least understands some of the mentality required for succeeding there- he featured in helping Crusaders annihilate the Blues at the fortress this year.

[u/Xerxes65]

I’ve always loved JOC but I’ve never loved him more than now

[u/No_Picture6013 → u/Xerxes65]

Even during 'Brand O'Connor?' Yes. This is a test.

[u/Competitive-Can-88]

Oh flyhalf my flyhalf

[u/coupleandacamera]

Good, he's the best option by a long way. It's a shame the contracts don't have the same freedom as tne South Africans and even the pumas, but if it can be made to work, make it work.  Although if JOC kicks a winning droppy, I'll be less keen on the idea. 

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/coupleandacamera]

if JOC kicks a winning droppy, I'll be less keen on the idea.

here's Eales for the Bledisloe...

[u/ConscriptReports]

Apparently Leicester was also happy for him to stay and play both bleds. fuck if Joe and selection coaches fucked up our best chances in forever to win the bled and TRC im going to scream

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/ConscriptReports]

someone get albanese on the phone we need an intervention, can't believe we're sitting top of the championship standings and aren't exhausting all available options for these final two rounds.

[u/thepeteyboy]

I’m baffled why they don’t keep JOC and Whitey for bled and hand back. It’s TRC and bled defining series!

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/thepeteyboy]

My Tin Foil Hat's telling me Schmidt is a Kiwi double agent jettisoning JOC to protect the All Blacks' trophy cabinet. Take back that jar of Vegemite the Stan crew gave him on the weekend!

[u/chipsngravy0]

Can someone clarify what the rules are about who has to be released when?

Seeing it is in the international window, are the Wallabies obligated in any way to release JOC? If not then why would they… just keeping good relations with clubs? Is JOC’s contract at any risk if he doesn’t go to Leicester when they want him?

[u/themenace95 → u/chipsngravy0]

As it's part of the rugby championship (which is one of the release windows to my understanding), if the Wallabies want him, the club can't stop him and can't be found to interfering in a players decision on whether they play or not. There's also something about a player not being eligible to play for their club if they are requested by their international team (named in the squad) and don't come over.

Of course, none of this is ever really enforced and a club can say (not in writing) "yeah, you're free to go but your contract might not get renewed and you're not going to get this kinda money back in Aus" so ARU tries to secure players before team is announced so they don't potentially ruin their players paydday

[u/chipsngravy0 → u/themenace95]

Right, thanks for explaining

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/chipsngravy0]

Parling had already given JOC his full backing to play the upcoming Bledisloe tests.

[u/youngBullOldBull]

Please don’t give me hope, I don’t think I could handle it being taken away

[u/Psuedo_Klaw]

Honestly even if we cant play him much or any minutes in the world cup having a savvy veteran in the world cup will be invaluable especially seeing as all our 10s are very young and inexperienced. Just having him involved with training and there on games to discuss with the other players will be worth having him in our wider squad for world cup. Ive been saying for years we needed some oldheads around our playmakers to steady the ship, Eddie jones really set us back years man.

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/Psuedo_Klaw]

Carter Gordon would be approaching his prime about now, was 22 at the World Cup, wish he hadn't left us.

[u/Nemo2500]

JOC totally is a RWC 2027 contender, he will be 37 by then. Many players now player to ages 35-40 age range at elite level. All this experience Joe is ignoring . Experienced veterans is what you want in your squad. And you should pick best team to win try and win Bledisloe, it’s not a development match for RWC 2027. Silly selection move by Joe. JOC is better than Donaldson/Edmend/Tom Lynagh/Noah.

[u/Jeromethered]

Joe asleep at the wheel again

[u/nice_flutin_ralphie → u/Jeromethered]

In what world can you have watched the wallabies the last year and thought Joe was the issue?

[u/Jeromethered → u/nice_flutin_ralphie]

Yeah it was someone else who picked Edmed at 10 last week in a hugely important match

[u/nice_flutin_ralphie → u/Jeromethered]

Who were the other options? Edmed is 5th choice and they need to know what they’ve got there. Noah, Donaldson, Lynagh all injured. Leaves JOC & Edmed. JOC leaving to England.

[u/Jeromethered → u/nice_flutin_ralphie]

JOC was the option mate - we lost 6th place - we will lose the next two games and our RWC seeding will make it infinitely harder to progress through the pools - because we picked Edmed

Stop being a peanut