T
Tireless Backrower
Guest
He's lost his phone - hence no tweets
It can't be good for his brand.
The anger probably stems from O'Connor's mightier than thou attitude this year. His performance on the field was excellent during the super rugby season but has been below his best since. The whole debacle that followed his exit from the Force lost him a lot of friends - for instance, "My rugby brand". Well, if he was out on the piss before a major team announcement and failed to make it he certainly hasn't done his "brand" any favours.
Well, I think mainly to his team mates. I wouldn't tag him as being "bigger than the team" just yet, although all the hoo-haa around his signing was a bit much on someone's part (? manager, ? father, ? bit of all of them). I think it is a bit of a slap in the face to his team, and more so to those who just missed out on selection and would be gutted. Matt Hodgson, Beau, Turner etc..RS, I defended O'Connor over the Force departure process. Seeing this latest incident, I wish I had not. This non-attendance at a very prominent team function and for which no legitimate excuse has emerged, is a vain insult to all of his team, the Wallaby fans, the ARU, and QANTAS being a major contributor to his personal income.
A big, nasty lesson needs to be dished out here or this immature ego will spiral out of control into a version of the 'I'm bigger than the team' syndrome.
I think we no longer have to use "allegedly": http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/absent-oconnor-faces-axe-20110819-1j2ed.html
Twitter made him get pissed?
(would certainly explain what's been happening to me lately)
I would imagine that QANTAS would not be happy; one of the most high profile players in the game not turning up for their, no doubt, costly promotion of their sponsorship of the team. A few months ago, JO'C was talking about his 'brand' and making an idiot of himself in the process, well QANTAS have spent millions promoting the Wallabies brand and will surely be very disappointed.
A lot of bitterness on this thread. I hope that many of you aren't managers! Maybe he did the wrong thing, maybe not. Maybe he had a reason, maybe not. We'll find out. Whatever happens, someone sensible will decide based on what is best for him, the team and the campaign, and I'm sure there will be no frothing references to O'Connor's brand or hair.
His performance on the field was excellent during the super rugby season but has been below his best since.
Does JOC (James O'Connor) have history for this ala Tiquiri? No doubt it was unprofessional and he did not meet his contractual requirements and will get breached for this, but everyone deserves a mistake or two in their professional life as long as it does impact on the health and wellbeing of others. So many here have not learnt from the lessons of the response to QC (Quade Cooper)'s and KB (Kurtley Beale)'s incidents. I expect him to miss a game and be formally warned but that is it. Give the hysteria a rest people. Perhaps the first time I have ever agreed with Groucho, a reasoned sensible decision will be made about this.
As I always say, there is no 'I' in TEAM, but there is a 'U' in ****. Wake up James !