JOC now a Rebel

[animal wa]

O'connor now a Rebel? (from Adelaide Now)

JAMES O'Connor has quit the Western Force to join the Melbourne Rebels for the 2012 season.
The Rebels are waiting for the Australian Rugby Union to sign off on the deal before making an announcement on luring one of the game's hottest prospects to the fledgling Melbourne club.

The utility back, 20, will link with good friend and Wallabies team-mate Kurtley Beale.

He is leaving the NSW Waratahs for the Rebels next year.

The star backline duo will dramatically strengthen a Rebels line-up that has struggled this season.



Shame JOC, from one team that doesnt know how to win to another..

[zed]

WTF they are bottom of the ladder. Even with a couple of 'star' signings they're not going to be challenging for a top 4. Who ever is advising this kid needs to go and shoot themselves.

[benny]

No Coach a backline that is either "permanently injured or disiplined" (Gerrard - Hilgens - Cancer Man Mortlock - Beale - Huxley) Great option to choice in my eyes.

But saying this... its his call and reading todays paper (i'll give credit where its due) RG coming out and saying "one player doesn't make a team and can be easily replaced" oh how i love to read this and stick it up the circus toffee noses little tossa !!

As we have all seen over the past month the Force have been a better team without him, just need to get Penisioner Shennan (speed wise) out on the bench and swanpoel in #9 and we'll have a team !!

Just wait for next year BOY... you had better be thick skinned.... JUDAS !!

[benny]

But remember (a year or two ago) we have QC over here on a one way flight, EWF even payed him to come and see the sights, verballed agreed and then ARU turned around and said "NO we want you to play for the REDS to develop there game in the QLD state" I'm glad there is consistency but looks like the Rabbles have a golden favour or two with the JON and ARU.

[AndyS]

Sounds to me like the Rebels upped their offer, with someone then suggesting that he use it as a back-stop to try for more from the Force. Sound negotiating ploy assuming you have no strong preference either way, but if he has gone to the Rebels it gives the huge lie to his statement that his rugby development would make the decision. Maybe if he was playing for McQueen, but even then a bit questionable. Not knowing the coach etc, it just looks like the money.

Shame, but not the end of the world. Personally, I'm glad the Force stood by their position and refused to pander to him. Wonder what terms he is looking at in Melbourne. Also wonder whether, by this time next year, the Rebels might be wistfully looking back at a flyhalf that only got out on the piss rather than trying to run the club.

[benny]

Why is it with the FORCE that we have so many players verbally agreeing and then turn around and decline.

Digby Ioane
Drew Mitchell
JOC
Josh Valentine
(not sure) Giteau

Suppose looking over this list (except for D.I) pretty much nancy boys who only have one thing in common - Hairdressers, all glory boys only think of emself. !!

Have we signed (on the dotted line) Toby Flynn ?

[ontheball]

O'connor now a Rebel? (from Adelaide Now)

JAMES O'Connor has quit the Western Force to join the Melbourne Rebels for the 2012 season.
The Rebels are waiting for the Australian Rugby Union to sign off on the deal before making an announcement on luring one of the game's hottest prospects to the fledgling Melbourne club.

The utility back, 20, will link with good friend and Wallabies team-mate Kurtley Beale.

He is leaving the NSW Waratahs for the Rebels next year.

The star backline duo will dramatically strengthen a Rebels line-up that has struggled this season.



Shame JOC, from one team that doesnt know how to win to another..

From what I know JOC didn't leave the EWF, the EWF decided to cease negotiations and wipe their hands of him as his demands were over the top.

[jono]

from everything i have read, that's what happened. EWF gave him a deadline to accept their offer, the deadline passed so therefore he didnt have a contract with them next year.

looks like his lawyer called EWF out, and EWF had the balls not to cave in. which is awesome, they should have done this months ago

[jargan83]

You guy are letting the truth get in the way of a good story
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[SinBin]

Objective media are reporting facts - that we walked away from James, however you'll get headline grabbers saying he walked out on us. Will be watching the Rugby Club with interest this week for testing their objectivity.
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[oxleymoron]

Objective media are reporting facts - that we walked away from James, however you'll get headline grabbers saying he walked out on us. Will be watching the Rugby Club with interest this week for testing their objectivity.
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Lawn bowls have less bias than The Rugby Club.

[GAFFA]

http://www.watoday.com.au/rugby-unio...615-1g3x1.html

"The Force withdrew their offer yesterday morning, after O'Connor imposed special conditions. It is understood these included guarantees from the Force they would sign better players. O'Connor is also believed to be concerned Test breakaway David Pocock might also leave Perth. There was also difference between the two parties over contract length and remuneration."

Any Truth to this paraghraph or just a journo Clutching?

[Sheikh]

http://www.watoday.com.au/rugby-unio...615-1g3x1.html

"The Force withdrew their offer yesterday morning, after O'Connor imposed special conditions. It is understood these included guarantees from the Force they would sign better players. O'Connor is also believed to be concerned Test breakaway David Pocock might also leave Perth. There was also difference between the two parties over contract length and remuneration."

Any Truth to this paraghraph or just a journo Clutching?

Well, if I were O'Connor, I'd want 'better' players around, or be concerned if Pocock left the Force, but WTF can he do about it in his contract? Have a clause saying: "If Bam Bam leaves, or we don't sign X, my contract becomes null and void"? No sane club administrator in the world would agree to a condition like that.

[slomo]

Why is it with the FORCE that we have so many players verbally agreeing and then turn around and decline.

Digby Ioane
Drew Mitchell
JOC
Josh Valentine
(not sure) Giteau

Josh valentine?, your having a laugh!! It was good to let him go!!
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[SinBin]

Lawn bowls have less bias than The Rugby Club.

Often an East bias agreed but will be paying special interest in how they cover this.
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