JOC (James O'Connor) Gooonne

[Dumbledore]

Getting a release from his ARU contract for 2013-14 apparently. Sickening waste of talent.

 

[oztimmay]

First stage of my prediction. Off to the Bulldogs and plenty more time with KB (Kurtley Beale) and Buddy. A real shame to see the talent gone, but the game is bigger than just one player.

 

[Tex]

What's the real implication here?

- 2014 contract with a league or European/Japanese club
- no ARU contract but a Western Force contract

It's possible he takes his medicine, grafts at the S15 and club level, lowers the profile and returns for the 2015 world cup.

Or he takes the higher pay in league/OS. Interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[oztimmay]

I don't thing his ego will allow him to take a 'humble pie' deal with the ARU or force. He wants to grow his profile, presumably in OZ, so realistically the only option is to switch codes. The Bulldogs are looking to recruit to cover Ben Babara at FB and JOC (James O'Connor) would be IMO a good FB fit for League.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

The media are saying that signing with the Force would cost him up to $600k, that would pay for a lot of haircuts.

 

[Tex]

So the options for the guy are:

a) take the league dollars, sign with a club for the standard 3+ years
b) sign with the Force and play in Australia without the ARU top-up
c) go to Europe and play for a season, return matured and wise and play S15 and Wallabies in 2015
c) sign for a longer-term in France and soak up the sun and dollars

 

[No4918]

How much would the Bulldogs be able to pay? Barba was on approx $350K and still had a year left so not sure if they had other funds available. Anything over that is a big gamble on a code hopper.

 

[Baldric]

It's possible he takes his medicine, grafts at the S15 and club level,

Cant see that happening.

 

[No4918]

So the options for the guy are:

a) take the league dollars, sign with a club for the standard 3+ years
b) sign with the Force and play in Australia without the ARU top-up
c) go to Europe and play for a season, return matured and wise and play S15 and Wallabies in 2015
c) sign for a longer-term in France and soak up the sun and dollars

a) might happen
b) won't happen
c) quite likely, I doubt he has given up aspirations of playing in the WC and a year away from Aus may be what he needs to pull his head in.
d) maybe, i doubt he has the personality to stick it out long term in France.

 

[Ignoto]

So looking at G&GR's news this morning about Halfpenny, what's the money about O'Connor going to Toulon for a season and coming back?

 

[GaffaCHinO]

JAMES O'Connor says he "needs to earn back a lot of respect'' after taking an early release from his ARU contract.

The future of the wayward Wallaby is now unclear, with O'Connor unable to earn any top-up payment from the ARU until at least 2015.
He will continue negotiating with Western Force, but would have to take an enormous pay cut, believed to be up to $600,000. Otherwise, his best options would be overseas.

The move follows an investigation into O'Connor's behaviour after he was escorted from Perth airport by Federal police over a dispute with airline staff three weeks ago.

It followed a string of behavioural indiscretions by O'Connor.
"The Australian Rugby Union and I have mutually agreed to put the past behind us and move forward from today," O'Connor said.

"As a professional, I am focused in developing as a person and as an athlete and intend to do everything possible to put myself in the best environment to do that.

"I want to apologise for any issues that I have caused and I want express my respect for my teammates, the Wallabies and the jumper. There is nothing more important and rewarding to me than representing my country.

"I want to say again that I do appreciate the impact that some of my actions have had on my team and the sport in general.

"I recognise that given my actions and the circumstances it is best for the team and myself to go in different directions in the short term.

"I remain focused on earning my place back with the Wallabies and will be looking for the right opportunity to do this.

"I plan to remain on the Gold Coast with my family over the coming weeks as I consider my playing future.

"I will also continue discussions with the team at the Western Force in Perth who has shown incredible faith in me of which I am very grateful for.

"I realise I need to earn back a lot of respect, and that is exactly what I plan to do both on and off the field.

"I want to wish my teammates and the Wallabies the best of success and I will be supporting you fully in the coming months."

At this stage O'Connor hopes to return to the fold by 2015, for the World Cup in England and Wales.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Going on face value of what he has said above it looks as it he wants to earn his spot back in the team and that playing for the wallabies means everything to him.

The Wallabies twitter just said he is eligable to play for the Wobs in 2014 but that he wont be getting a top up. so i guess it would be a matter of pay per game. which is what alot of people have been saying all players shoudl be forced to do.

 

[Tex]

Could be a real turning point for him. Personally my opinion of him would drastically improve if he stayed in Perth without the top-up.

 

[Antony]

He needs to go to France. Learn the language, drink wine instead of smirnoff double blacks, and get his eyes opened to just how little the world cares about one footballer in Australia.

 

[Quick Hands]

Sad that it's come to this, what a pity such a talent has allowed his ability to be overshadowed by his behaviour to such an extent that he's finding it difficult to find a place to play.

Probably better for him personally to go to a place where he's a little fish in a big pond, with senior players who'll pull him into line at the slightest hint of ego.

 

[RedsHappy]

I just wish there wasn't so much PC mamby-pambying over these announcements by the ARU. We have 'put past behind us', 'mutual releases' and other fairy floss mumbo fucking jumbo re JO'C's 'change of status'.

FFS, show some standards leadership and backbone in what you say to the highly disillusioned rugby public over this ever drawn out matter, where all would agree the ARU's threshold of tolerance has been set far too high for far too long.

How about: 'After an unacceptably large number of behavioural transgressions - some serious - James O'Connor has been immediately dismissed from the Wallaby team roster with his contract unilaterally terminated on these grounds. Once JO'C's standards of personal discipline have been consistently improved to the ARU's satisfaction, he will be considered as a candidate for Wallaby selection subject to his contracted status with an Australian S15 team.'

I'm sure however that a statement of that simplicity and raw honesty would not have passed the three vetting committees and multiple sets of highly paid lawyers that crafted the marshmallow that was ultimately handed out to the media.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Every time something happens, you hear him say "I've learnt a lot"/"I've matured a lot"/"I know I need to earn respect"/whatever. I really think he is just full of himself and never learns.

 

[Brumby Runner]

"As a professional, I am focused in developing as a person and as an athlete and intend to do everything possible to put myself in the best environment to do that."

Don't think that would be possible if he signed with the Bulldogs. Living and playing in the same city as Franklin and Beale just doesn't suggest being in an environment that will allow him to develop. On that topic, will Kurtley be able to resist the temptations offered by Franklin now living in Sydney?

 

[Jets]

I'd love to see him sign with the Force and work hard at changing the public perception of him.

If I was him I'd jump on a plane to the south of France and stay there for the next 10 years.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Statement from RugbyWA: James O'Connor

The Emirates Western Force has encouraged Wallabies winger James O’Connor to take time away from rugby to consider his playing future.

The decision follows the Australian Rugby Union’s announcement that it will not offer him a national contract for 2014.

The Emirates Western Force remains open to the possibility of O’Connor’s return to the club provided he understands and observes the club’s non-negotiable standards and values.

“Our conversations with James and his management regarding a possible return to the Force have been ongoing,” RugbyWA CEO Mark Sinderberry said

“These conversations have been thorough and honest, and have included Michael Foley, Matt Hodgson and players. These discussions have been about both on- and off-field matters that we believe can assist James to become the player he aspires to be and to develop himself as a person.

“Since the ARU’s decision, we’ve reiterated our position to James, including the non-negotiable standards and values – particularly around earning respect – that must be upheld by everyone in the team and at this club.

“However, at this point we believe it’s in James’ best interests to take time and reflect on what’s important to him and what he really wants.

“If that is being a part of this club and making a positive contribution to our club culture, then we’d be open to the prospect of continuing those discussions. Similarly, if he believes he would be better suited by taking some time away from Australian rugby, then we’d wish him nothing but the best with those endeavours.”

http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsE...4/Default.aspx