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Return to Force O'Connor's only hope
RETURN to the Western Force appears to be the only option for Wallabies five-eighth James O'Connor after the Melbourne Rebels decided against renewing his Super Rugby contract.
And the Rebels are said to have had a change of mind about Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale and are now trying to keep him in Melbourne.
O'Connor was expected to stay in Melbourne after exploring other Super Rugby options, but in a surprise development the Rebels have let him go.
Rebels chief executive Rob Clarke thanked O'Connor for his contribution over the past two years, which was "unfortunately limited due to a string of injuries".
"I would like to acknowledge the role James has played in helping the Rebels gain traction in the very competitive sporting landscape in Melbourne," Clarke said in a statement. "After three years in the Super 15 competition, the club is entering the next phase of development." O'Connor has been in negotiations with the Force, where he made his Super Rugby debut as a 17-year-old against the Reds in 2008. He played in Perth until joining the Rebels last year, leaving the Force in acrimonious circumstances.
...But the Force has a new coach now in Michael Foley which could pave the way for a return to Perth.
If O'Connor does not come to terms with the Force, he may be forced to continue his career in Europe or Japan.
With O'Connor gone from Melbourne, there is speculation the Rebels will try to keep Beale, who was expected to return to the NSW Waratahs.
The Rebels appeared to have washed their hands of Beale because of his off-field behaviour, which resulted in him entering a rehabilitation clinic in Sydney for alcohol-related issues.
Their renewed interest in Beale may indicate they have appointed, but not announced, a new coach, possibly Ewen McKenzie, who coached Beale at the Waratahs in 2008.
Beale and O'Connor made headlines when they were photographed at a fast-food outlet at 3.10am four days out from the second Test against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne.
It is understood Beale and O'Connor also missed a team bus to training while in camp in Sydney before the third Test.
Senior Wallabies are said to be unhappy with coach Robbie Deans's handling of Beale and O'Connor and it may contribute to the ARU not renewing his contract.
If Brumbies coach Jake White is named Wallabies coach, as expected, Matt Toomua may be the next Test pivot, but if Reds director of coaching McKenzie gets the job, it could be Quade Cooper.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spor...-1226675638202
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
When you think about his injuries, he took a massive knock under a high ball and ended up with bruising on his (insert correct organ here).
You cannot have a whinge about his injuries if he is getting injured putting his body on the line for the team.
otherwise, i am in a couple of minds about getting him back. I would think that he could, but it would have to fit into the plans we have for the future. Foles is building up a team to play togetrher for a long time (hopefully), and having him come in and reshuffle the back line would not be harmonious. Stick him in the wing/bench and make him work up and take the opportunity if there are any injuries.
I'm pretty sure that within the system everyone knows what the problems are associated with O'Connor. The only way we should even consider offering him a position is that we get him at a reasonable and fair price, he comes with no baggage, there are no additional stipulations placed by him in his contract and finally his contract clearly stipulates what he can and can't do.
If he accepts this then here is hope for him, if not then fuck him off to France, or even better Mungo land.
Just happy to be here
Further to that, Not allowed back at Cott, align him to Mandurah and made to coach a Junior team/s there. (Without a fuel card or hair straightener)
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And every Friday he drops off his Credit Card toto pay for every ones first drink. He is not allowed to stay there of course - he needs to go to bed when FatCat is on the TV.
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Force open to O'Connor's return
The Western Force is ready to offer prodigal son James O'Connor a chance to return to the club where he began his Super Rugby career.
The 23-year-old is a free agent, having been released by the Melbourne Rebels after a frustrating two-year stint plagued with injury problems.
The Western Force has confirmed that the club would be open to a possible comeback for O'
Connor.
"The club's stance is that we would be open to the possibility of him returning," a spokesperson said.
The club has not yet revealed whether it is preparing to put a formal offer to O'Connor's management.
O'Connor scored the Wallabies' only try as they suffered a 41-16 mauling at the hands of the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night.
O'Connor made his Super Rugby debut with the Western Force six years ago, but left in 2011 after contract negotiations broke down.
The Force's loss was the Rebels' gain as O'Connor, at the time one of the biggest prospects in world rugby, headed across the Nullarbor.
The disagreement raised questions about whether the Force could attract huge names and keep them happy in WA, where the rectangle footy codes still lag far behind the AFL.
With O'Connor's star at least temporarily on the wane after patchy performances at fly-half during the three tests against the Lions, speculation is mounting that the Force could be ready to offer their former star an olive branch.
The Force and the Rebels are the two bottom sides in Super Rugby's Australia conference, each having suffered 11 defeats this season.
Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/rugby-unio...#ixzz2YQRkCD1T
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
Yeah. You'd definitely want to make sure that it is a decision that the team are happy with. It is possible that the Force don't dislike him as much as the Rebels do. It is also possible that the Force players are willing to put up with him if it means a better chance of winning.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
We better really need him!! According to Fox Sports he was out in King Cross until 5am after the loss to the Lions!! WTF!!! We don't need this shit!! Let him go to France!! Seriously that's unbelievable!!