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O'Connor asks for Wallaby guarantees
James O'Connor's proposed move back to Australia is dependent on World Cup assurances from Ewen McKenzie, according to L'Equipe.
The versatile back has been strongly tipped for a return to Australia this season with the Reds expected to announce his signature on Friday.
O'Connor is currently playing for Toulon, who he joined over the off-season, but he has a clause in his contract which would allow him to return to Australia for the 2015 Super Rugby season and the World Cup.
Having previously played for the Force and the Rebels, he has been tipped to join the Reds on his return, with the news due to be confirmed on Friday according to the Australian press.
However L'Equipe has revealed that O'Connor may still be considering his options, and that the talented Australian wants some assurances from McKenzie over his place in the national set-up before he makes the move.
"James has two options," a source told the French sports daily.
"Either McKenzie guarantees him a place in the squad for the World Cup, and a real role in the team. In this case O'Connor would return to Australia in January or February.
"Or James feels that he is being recalled simply to make up the numbers, with no guarantees, in which case he will stay at Toulon."
The 24-year-old has 44 international caps to his name and recently signed a three-year deal with Toulon.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...444169,00.html
On yer bike sunshine, the attitude hasn't changed
C'mon the![]()
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Any news on Giteau's attitude? I still wonder if there's something positive to be gained from him, and Drew Mitchell for that matter.
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
Mitchell was never really interested in being at the Force. Came for the payday and left as soon as it was banked. Then joked about how 'backward' WA is. Don't think he would really get the loyalty thing we have going now. He's in the same 'don't ever want you back' basket as JOC for mine.
So having to take something like a $100,000 paycut because firepower went bust had nothing to do with it?
You can see why he would have been frustrated.
You can mock me all you like; but I know I'm not the only one who thinks the way I do.
While it wouldn't surprise me if this was correct, I wouldn't be taking anything said in the French press (or any other press for that matter) as gospel.
JOC has also just picked up sponsorship from CCC, there is no doubt that he is not trying to return to Oz for the $$$, he just want's to jump the queue. Correct in that the attitude has not changed! Enjoy him Reds![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
JOC is in my basket of stay away and the Reds are welcome to him!
Don't you hate it when your wrong
Originally from a PerthNow article but found it in the TWF archive
Force find cash in attempt to keep Giteau
Western Force have found a sponsor to compensate Matt Giteau for the money he lost in the Firepower collapse – but the deal is likely to hinge on the Wallabies fly-half committing to the Perth Super 14 club until the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Failed fuel technology company Firepower helped lure Giteau to Perth from Canberra in 2007 for three seasons with a $750,000 a year incentive comprising $400,000 in cash and the balance in shares.
The shares are now worthless but Force has lined up replacement cash deals for Giteau and fellow Test stars Cameron Shepherd, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell and Scott Staniforth, who were also sponsored by Firepower.