Waratahs 2014

[Hell West & Crooked]

If the choice were mine I keep Folau, take Hugh Pyle and send JOC (James O'Connor) and Beale back to Melbourne.

I am missing something - Why would Beale and O'Connor not stay in Melbourne right where they are? - The Rebels need them as much as any other team, and the Tahs certainly do not need JOC (James O'Connor) (someone mentioned his 'brand' and if that means 'influence' I agree, we don't need it)... The Rebels could become a Finals chance in the next 3 or so seasons, if the right moves are made - and they have Rod MacQueen banging about somewhere there in the background... JOC (James O'Connor) and Beale need to repay the Rebels investment with some real playing time - and prove to everyone else that their signatures are actually worth the paper they are written on...

I would not be totally surprised if the Reds were to decide they don't need JOC (James O'Connor) either...

 

[Bowside]

I am missing something - Why would Beale and O'Connor not stay in Melbourne right where they are? - The Rebels need them as much as any other team, and the Tahs certainly do not need JOC (James O'Connor) (someone mentioned his 'brand' and if that means 'influence' I agree, we don't need it). The Rebels could become a Finals chance in the next 3 or so seasons, if the right moves are made - and they have Rod MacQueen banging about somewhere there in the background. JOC (James O'Connor) and Beale need to repay the Rebels investment with some real playing time - and prove to everyone else that their signatures are actually worth the paper they are written on.

I would not be totally surprised if the Reds were to decide they don't need JOC (James O'Connor) either.

The rebels don't want them any more. At least not on their current salaries.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Not convinced that we need them either, on any salary - current or what they may actually be worth.

 

[boyo]

In the current game it seems to me you need a heavyhitter outside your flyhalf, and JOC (James O'Connor) has amazing talents, but heavyhitter isn't one of them. He is just too light. Really strong and explosive but not enough mass. In that awful wallabies roulette game we all indulge in, not least the coaches(!), I'd try him at 13 as a playmaker centre to create width of attack.

Or we could, you know, just leave him where he belongs, wing

JOC (James O'Connor)'s meeting with Rene Ranger didn't work out well.

 

[Athilnaur]

Nope, as I say, not enough mass but you have to give him credit for putting his body on the line like that when he already had a chest injury.

To get back OT I don't see JOC (James O'Connor) at Tahs, reckon he will hang in there in Melbourne, pure guess tho.

 

[oztimmay]

If the choice were mine I keep Folau, take Hugh Pyle and send JOC (James O'Connor) and Beale back to Melbourne.

Small problem with your Hugh Pyle plan; our second row try scoring machine and wallaby-in-waiting is signed up until the end of 2015. And yes, I'd agree we should keep him...he's good

 

[Richo]

We don't want JOC (James O'Connor)? You guys know we're coming 8th, right? Out of 15 teams? It's been a great turn around and there's heaps of potential, but I don't think we're in a position to turn down talent.

 

[USARugger]

JOC (James O'Connor) can tackle big guys. Everyone already forget when he lifted and dumped Matfield when he was 17/18 and much smaller than he is now? His build and low COG makes him very good at tackling guys bigger than him, actually. The Ranger incident was a bit of an anomaly. He explained why he went in high (because his shoulder was fucked) in the press already.

For his size he punches hugely above his weight. When he gets his hands on other wingers closer to his size things can get a bit ugly too. Forgetting the nightmares he gave Mvovo the other year?

Do agree his size makes him more injury-prone when he does try to lay big hits though, it's physics.

 

[Slim 293]

JOC (James O'Connor) can tackle big guys. Everyone already forget when he lifted and dumped Matfield when he was 17/18 and much smaller than he is now? His build and low COG makes him very good at tackling guys bigger than him, actually. The Ranger incident was a bit of an anomaly.

It was hardly an anomaly though.......

He got bumped off by a few players last year when defending at IC.........

 

[Bairdy]

It was hardly an anomaly though...

He got bumped off by a few players last year when defending at IC...

Heh, one notable tackle missed by JOC (James O'Connor) against McCabe, and he's a turnstile. I don't have the stats but I'm not sure that he was that bad at making tackles. But then again, someone could prove me wrong and show that he led the competition in missed tackles...

 

[Athilnaur]

JOC (James O'Connor) is an excellent tackler, he has only missed four all year. People are making a lot out of the Ranger thing when it was plainly obvious, or should have been, he was not even attempting a tackle as he was hurt. But he does have a small mass and can be bumped. it was Carter and McCabe last year who ran through him.

 

[swingpass]

The rebels don't want them any more. At least not on their current salaries.

according to blues recovery, beale not wanted at melbourne and o'connor not yet and unlikely, to be offered another contract at the rebels.
i agree that o'connor is a great player but perhaps not a great fit at the rebs, too expensive for the tahs, not wanted at the force, no way at the brumbies, so sunny brisbane here he comes ?

 

[mjw]

so sunny brisbane here he comes ?

Would he want to go back and be coached by Richard Graham?

 

[swingpass]

Would he want to go back and be coached by Richard Graham?

possibly not, but that might be his only option in the end. the mail down here is that the rebels are very, very reluctant to go with him again

i suspect that in the end he may have to stay in melbourne but at a reduced rate.

 

[wamberal]

Frankly, it is about time the bluff of some of these self-styled superstars is called. I hate to say it, but the game is bigger than the player. JOC (James O'Connor) needs to get a sense of perspective in his life, if he wants to wear the gold jersey consistently.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Team of champions v champion team kind of thing?

 

[BPC]

Small problem with your Hugh Pyle plan; our second row try scoring machine and wallaby-in-waiting is signed up until the end of 2015. And yes, I'd agree we should keep him.he's good

I admit it was a ideal plan and not fully compatible with current contracting arrangements.

My point is that the Tahs need a good lock more than one or two more backs. Particularly backs with a potentially suspect attitude.

 

[swingpass]

Frankly, it is about time the bluff of some of these self-styled superstars is called. I hate to say it, but the game is bigger than the player. JOC (James O'Connor) needs to get a sense of perspective in his life, if he wants to wear the gold jersey consistently.

i agree.
on the field he has contributed significantly (when fit and available) to the rebels, but off the field has apparently done his own thing. reflecting on the problems his mates beale and cooper have had in the past 12 months will hopefully have a sobering effect on him and he might mature. but then again ....

 

[fatprop]

It was hardly an anomaly though...

He got bumped off by a few players last year when defending at IC...

Every player will miss tackles, Lealiifano has missed 8 in the last 3 games and I still rate him a good defender

 

[Train Without a Station]

Personally I rate O'Conner as a great tackler but an average defender. Lack of tackling ability wasn't what enable Carter and McCabe to show him up in 2012. Poor defensive positioning more so.