James O’connor Earns Wallabies Recall As Squad Named For Lions Test Series

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made an eleventh-hour telephone to James O’Connor to see nan forgotten fly-half successful Australia’s 36-player squad for nan Test bid against nan British & Irish Lions, which originates adjacent week successful Brisbane.

The erstwhile Reds No 10 past played for nan Wallabies successful 2022, but helped nan Crusaders to a Super Rugby Pacific title this twelvemonth successful a domiciled coming disconnected nan bench.

Schmidt said that though O’Connor had not yet played nether him for nan Wallabies, he and nan 35-year-old had stayed successful touch during nan year.

“He had a bully Super play for nan Crusaders, he stayed close, he stayed connected nan full measurement through,” nan coach said.

The opportunity for O’Connor – who played for nan Wallabies against nan Lions connected their past Australian circuit successful 2013 – emerged owed to nan absence of first-choice No 10 Noah Lolesio. The 25-year-old had room connected his cervix this week aft suffering nan wounded successful a tackle against Fiji connected Sunday.

While O’Connor appears to beryllium Schmidt’s 3rd prime pivot aft Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh, nan 64-cap seasoned could beryllium valuable some arsenic a mentor successful preparations during nan three-Test bid and arsenic an knowledgeable manus disconnected nan bench.

“His acquisition was thing that helped Tom Lynagh past twelvemonth present astatine Suncorp [Stadium] and pinch nan Reds,” Schmidt said. “That acquisition tin perchance thief nan players again, peculiarly our young 10s arsenic they proceed to progress.”

The only different change to nan squad from nan Fiji series is nan inclusion of Reds fastener Josh Canham astatine nan disbursal of Western Force subordinate Darcy Swain.

Like O’Connor, prop James Slipper will besides get to chance to play nan Lions again, aft his acquisition pinch nan Wallabies successful 2013. The 36-year-old has 144 Wallabies caps.

“Slips [Slipper] is going to get a 2nd changeable astatine it potentially,” Schmidt said. “That’s really breathtaking for him, and his longevity is thing that is rather unthinkable successful nan game.”

James Slipper is named successful nan Wallabies’ 36-player squad to look nan the British & Irish Lions. Photograph: Matt King/Getty Images

Brumbies winger Corey Toole and Western Force backrower Nick Champion de Crespigny are nan only 2 uncapped players successful nan squad, which features 20 forwards and 16 backs.

Schmidt said nan Lions are going to airs a sizeable challenge. “There’s power, and there’s spot successful depth, and an expertise to play astatine a gait we’ve seen conscionable unpick teams, peculiarly successful that past 4th aliases that 2nd half of games,” he said.

First-choice halfback Jake Gordon is still recovering from a hamstring wounded but Schmidt has said he is connected way to play successful nan Lions opener alongside forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, who person had calf injuries.

The Lions are unbeaten connected their Australian circuit truthful far, but mislaid their send-off lucifer to Argentina successful Dublin past period 28-24. They defeated nan ACT Brumbies 36-24 successful their past fixture connected Wednesday, and person 1 much hit-out earlier nan first Test, against an Australian and New Zealand invitational XV successful Adelaide connected Saturday.

After nan first Test successful Brisbane adjacent Saturday 19 July, nan MCG hosts nan 2nd conflict connected 26 July earlier nan bid concludes astatine Accor Stadium successful Sydney connected 8 August.

Wallabies squad

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.

Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright.