Veteran Wallabies utility back James O’Connor has called for a change to eligibility laws which would allow Australian and New Zealand players to represent their countries while playing for any Super Rugby Pacific team.
Currently, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has a selection policy which states that to be selected for the All Blacks players must represent a Super Rugby franchise based in that country.
Meanwhile, Rugby Australia’s policy makes provision for Australian players to play for the Wallabies if they have represented the country in at least one international, while no more than three players are allowed to be brought into the Test side.
The debate around the selection of overseas-based players was back in the news recently when former All Blacks head coach Sir Steve Hansen warned NZR about potentially changing their policy.
Scott Robertson wants NZR to keep an ‘open mind’
This, after New Zealand’s current coach, Scott Robertson, consistently urged the governing body to keep an “open mind” on the matter.
O’Connor recently joined the Crusaders in New Zealand which would make him ineligible to play for the Wallabies and was asked for his opinion on the current regulations.
“That’s above my paygrade,” he said jokingly. “With the situation I’m in, of course I’d love that right now.
“It’s one competition, it’s three hours. It’s closer to here [Australia to New Zealand] than it is to Perth.
“We play such different styles. It would be pretty unique for guys to go and experience a year in a different place, instead of going overseas and playing there.
“It would definitely be good for some Aussies.”
O’Connor has made 64 appearances for the Wallabies at Test level and is comfortable in several backline positions. However, the 34-year-old has played most of his rugby at fly-half in recent years and it’s in this position where he is expected to pull the strings for the Crusaders.
The multiple Super Rugby champions lost the services of All Blacks number 10 Richie Mo’unga, who joined Japan Rugby League One club Toshiba Brave Lupus after last year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
Mo’unga’s absence was keenly felt by the Crusaders during this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign with Fergus Burke, Taha Kemara, Rivez Reihana, Riley Hohepa and David Havili all given chances to start at fly-half for the Christchurch-based outfit, who struggled throughout the season and eventually won just four out of 14 matches.
Joined Crusaders on a one-year deal
O’Connor has been signed on a one-year deal as a replacement for Burke, who has joined Premiership outfit Saracens, and is looking forward to the competition for the Crusaders number 10 jersey.
“Taha is 21, Rivez is 24,” he said. “They’ve got the world ahead of them. It’s a beautiful time for them. For me, I’m competing against them. I’ve made it very clear I want that 10 jersey.
“I want us to all compete for it and bring the best out of each other. At the same time, we need to be able to move not similarly, the team needs to understand that the way we’re all playing is similar.
“If one person goes down, the next one can step up. Still bring your strengths, but the communication is very similar, the language is similar, the lines are quite similar. Then you bring your unique finesse to that.
“There’s been moments where I’ve watched them both and thought it’s going to be hard to get into this 23.”
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/wallabies-stars-candid-response-on-key-super-rugby-rule-change
