James O’Connor pushed for unprecedented behavioural clauses to be inserted in his Rugby Australia (RA) and Queensland Reds contract to prove he’s put his bad boy days behind him.
Sacked from the Wallabies in 2013 after a series of off-field incidents and arrest in Paris in 2017 for possession of cocaine, O’Connor wanted to make a statement with the behavioural and drug clauses, according to RA director of rugby Scott Johnson.
“He wanted complete transparency to protect everyone because he was sincere of his wishes, so it’s really good to have a lad forcing it to say, ‘Just believe me cause this is what I’m about’,” Johnson said.
“It’s a good statement for players accepting responsibility for their career, so he’s determined this and we’ve supported him on it.
“He wants to be remembered for in his career, he wants his rugby to do the talking.
“This gives a great opportunity for a man to showcase his undoubted skill.”
Johnson said O’Connor could have earned more money staying overseas but was desperate to redeem himself in Australian rugby. Signing a Reds deal until 2021, which has been topped up by RA, they also believe the 29-year-old has plenty more to offer.
O’Connor has so far impressed his Wallabies cohorts with Christian Lealiifano a fan.
“He’s been awesome with the way he’s trained and gone about his business,” the Brumbies five-eighth said of O’Connor.
“He’s gone and tried to make connections with guys who he hasn’t really met or known that well, so it’s been cool having him around.”
The youngest player to make his Super Rugby debut at 17 and second youngest Wallabies player at 18, O’Connor was considered a special talent and Johnson had no doubt he could still make an impact on the world stage.
“You can’t get that amount of caps at such a young age without being a prodigious talent,” he said.
“We saw the best of him as a young player and we’re hoping the sport allows him to really showcase what we’ve missed the last five or six years.”
O’Connor could add to his 44 Test caps as soon as this weekend in Johannesburg with Johnson saying he will be considered for selection in Australia’s opening Rugby Championship match against South Africa.
Wanting to play inside centre, O’Connor has added some bulk to weigh in at 97kg and Johnson is a fan of his defence.
“One thing that has always been underrated about him is that he’s a very good defender,” Johnson said.
“He’s a good kicker and he allows you to play an expansive game.”