Quade Cooper was the first, and now it appears that James O’Connor might be the next Wallabies star contemplating a surprising switch to another code after being approached by the Brisbane NRL bid consortium.
Informal discussions have taken place between James O’Connor’s management and the potential NRL franchise, indicating that the 20-year-old Western Force prodigy could depart from rugby union.
The bid team is unlikely to afford O’Connor alongside another rugby target, whether it be Queensland Reds five-eighth Quade Cooper or Crusaders and All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams. However, losing one of the Wallabies’ rising talents would negatively impact the Australian Rugby Union.
There is some relief for the ARU, given that a second Brisbane team cannot join the NRL until 2013, if at all, based on the league’s expansion strategy under the independent commission yet to be established.
Nonetheless, with Cooper having recently signed only a 12-month extension and O’Connor emerging as a new target, the ARU may soon face the prospect of losing one or even both of their talented backs to league.
The Brisbane consortium is resolute in their efforts to make a mark in the NRL.
Bill Rae, a delegate for the Brisbane bid, confirmed their interest in pursuing O’Connor, having successfully secured letters of intent from as many as 18 NRL players.
“We’ve had discussions with James’s management,” Rae stated on Thursday.
“We have been observing his performances and are eager to find out if he would be interested in trying his hand at league.
“James and Quade share a strong friendship, understand each other’s play styles, and we think they would thrive together in rugby league compared to rugby union.
“We respect that James has a World Cup ahead of him. Should he express interest, we will keep the conversation going.”
David Shand, O’Connor’s solicitor, refrained from making further comments but acknowledged the Brisbane bid team’s outreach.
Toutai Kefu, a former Wallabies Rugby World Cup winner, expressed that O’Connor would excel in the NRL.
“If I were coaching an NRL team, the one player I would be targeting is James O’Connor,” Kefu, who played 60 Tests, remarked.
The Force utility is anticipated to announce his decision regarding his future at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season.
O’Connor will weigh offers from Queensland, the Force, and the Brumbies for the 2012 season.
Currently, no NRL club is known to have reached out to O’Connor’s management concerning his services for 2012 or 2013.
While O’Connor is content in rugby union, discussions about his new contract have taken longer than anticipated, as he considers his best options.
Being Australia’s second-youngest Test debutant, O’Connor has experience in rugby league, having played it while growing up on the Gold Coast.
“He’d undoubtedly succeed,” Kefu said.
“He is arguably the most adaptable player for rugby league.
“Losing him would be a significant blow for the ARU.
“James could likely command a higher salary in rugby, which might influence his decision to remain with the code.”
Buford Balony says: He should sign for WA Reds in 2013.
