RUGBY: Flyhalf O'Connor targeting Wallabies recall

MELBOURNE – Being relieved of his Wallabies duties in November was a tough blow for James O’Connor, but the veteran flyhalf is not ready to give up on his test career, with a home Rugby World Cup looming.

O’Connor was recalled for a one-off match against Ireland during the Wallabies’ Northern Hemisphere tour, but returned immediately to his English club, Leicester Tigers, when Carter Gordon was fit to play against France.

While coach Joe Schmidt had no plans to keep him in the squad, O’Connor admitted it was difficult to step away.

“I’m not going to lie, it does hurt, but I’ve been in and out of teams throughout my whole career,” he said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. “I’ve been to the top of the mountain and then dropped. It’s not the first time it’s happened to me.

“Not that it gets easier, but you’ve got to understand nothing is personal. I know where I’m at in my career, I know my worth, and I know what I can do on the rugby field.”

O’Connor, who turns 36 in July, made a surprise return to test rugby last year and helped the Wallabies claim their first win over South Africa at Ellis Park in more than 60 years.

Flyhalf has remained a problem position for Australia, with no player firmly securing the number 10 shirt after Noah Lolesio’s season-ending injury last year. While Gordon has impressed for the Queensland Reds, Tane Edmed has struggled with the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific.

Despite his age, O’Connor still has strong support within Australian rugby. Many see him as a valuable impact player off the bench rather than taking the leading role.

He praised his relationships with both Schmidt and his successor Les Kiss, under whom he played at the Reds. “They know what I can do on the field,” O’Connor said.

“Then it’s just about the opportunity coming up. The best thing I can do is keep performing well, keep getting game time, and build my game.”

-Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters