Some SMH Journo Claims: James O'Connor joins Melbourne Rebels

[James]

Who knows- maybe he didn't live up to his third party obligations well.

[jombi]

I hope RugbyWA are making contact with SBW right now, because if they aren't *shakes pitchfork*

[TOCC]

his manager called the Brumbies and told them its not a done deal, so it would appear to be false information at the moment, however still not promising for the Force.

[TrevorM]

Maybe the big end of town in Perth has shallow pockets compared to Melbourne. Maybe all the big companies don't consider Perth their home ground, or at least not for WA Rugby.

Yes, that appears to be an issue.

As reported in The Age, "The Rebels' strong ties with Melbourne's business community have enabled them to snare the two hottest young talents in Australian rugby."

When the 4th franchise came to WA in 2005, there was an expectation that the "rich Perth resources and corporate sectors" would stump up money as sponsors or for 3rd party "product endorsement" fees. But that doesn't seem to have happened. The Force has Emirates (not uniquely associated with the Perth big end of town) and ET Mining, but none of the bigger players in the commercial, mining and mining services space are visible as significant sponsors/supporters of the Force.

Shallow pockets? Perth treated as only a regional office by the big corporate players in WA? Rugby not as popular with the corporate heavy-weights as people might have thought? Rugby WA not engaging with the big end of town in an effective way? Something to do with the sour taste left over from the Firepower fiasco?

[Sheikh]

I hope RugbyWA are making contact with SBW right now, because if they aren't *shakes pitchfork*

Could we sign him? I thought Ripia and Smith took our two foreign player spots, and both had signed multi-year deals.

[todd4]

At least O'Connors manager isn't playing the league and french club cards.

Cooper comes off contract with the Reds this year doesn't he?

I can't wait to watch that circus!!!

[James]

Watching the Reds play last night, and admittedly it is always a team effort and everyone wearing red was sensational, I would have chipped in for a 3rd party deal for Cooper. There has got to be at least a 1,000 depressed Force fans out there. Everyone puts in $100 and you wouldn't be doing too badly.

[Hoolly Doolly]

the 2 tries off the scrum was perfect !

[jombi]

Could we sign him? I thought Ripia and Smith took our two foreign player spots, and both had signed multi-year deals.

Ripia is eligible for the wallabies (only played for NZ Maori, not the allblacks), so we should still have 1 spot left to splurge on.

[jazza93]

Even if O'Conner is moving, there is no doubt that every single journalist writing about this "move" has absolutely no idea or information.

Just look at the articles, they mention (in the first few sentences) that some external source has said O'Conner is moving. And then fill the rest of the article with unrelated crap.

These articles may as well be one sentence long: "The Hereld thinks O'Conner is moving therefore i think it too".

Can anyone trust that?

[blueandblack]

JOC is moving around the field in Canberra!

[GIGS20]

JOC is moving around the field in Canberra!

Not enough IMHO

[Thequeerone]

I like him at 12 - our backs are doing things

[zimeric]

shouldve put money on them this week
good odds

[jombi]

shouldve put money on them this week
good odds

Yep, I chucked $30 on them @ 4.2 before the game, and another $15 on 12.5+ @ 13.5. Bloody O'Connor missing those kicks!

He definitely needs to stay at 12, even if Ripia gets injured again.