Schmidt picks veteran O'Connor in Australia squad to face the Lions
James O'Connor of Australia playing England in Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Joe Schmidt has turned to veteran James O’Connor to help solve his fly-half issues ahead of the Test series against the British & Irish Lions with the Crusaders playmaker named by Australia’s head coach in a 36-man squad on Friday.
The Wallabies lost first-choice number 10 Noah Lolesio to a neck injury in their first Test of the year against Fiji last Sunday with surgery this week ruling him out of the Test series, beginning in Brisbane on July 19.
O’Connor, 35, joins squad regulars Ben Donaldson of the Western Force and Queensland Reds’ Tom Lynagh as Schmidt’s fly-half options for the series with the Crusader having started all three Tests at 10 against the Lions on their last visit in 2013, a 2-1 series win for the tourists.
The Wallabies record Test appearance maker (144) and prop James Slipper, 36, is also included 12 years on from facing the Lions the first time with the veteran duo poised to join back-row legend George Smith (2001, 2013) in playing for Australia in two successive series.
La Rochelle lock Will Skelton played for the Waratahs against the Lions in 2013 and is also named while Tom Lynagh could become the first Wallaby to follow in his father’s footsteps in playing against the Lions, World Cup-winning father Michael having faced the touring side in 1989.
O’Connor earned the last of his 64 caps in 2022 and is one of only two changes from the squad named by Schmidt last month to play the Fijians for a game which the Wallabies narrowly won. Queensland Reds lock Josh Canham was also added.
Brumbies wing Corey Toole, a try scorer against the Lions in Canberra last Wednesday, and Western Force backrower Nick Champion de Crespigny are the only two uncapped players named in the squad.
Speaking at the squad naming ceremony at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, venue for the first Test, Schmidt said: “As Wallabies coaches, we have tried to balance continuity with form and freshness, but there were some very tight calls.
“We’re conscious of how special it is to play the British and Irish Lions, so for those selected in the squad, they’ll be competing for Test jerseys, while also trying to help others prepare. We need to improve our accuracy and cohesion with a very short runway leading up to the first Test here in eight days.
“We are excited by what’s to come.”
Forwards (20): Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Angus Bell (Waratahs), Josh Canham (Queensland Reds), Nick Champion De Crespigny (Western Force), Matt Faessler (Queensland Reds), Nick Frost (Brumbies), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs), Tom Hooper (Brumbies), Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds), Zane Nonggorr (Queensland Reds), Billy Pollard (Brumbies), David Porecki (Waratahs), Tom Robertson (Western Force), Will Skelton (La Rochelle), James Slipper (Brumbies), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force), Taniela Tupou (Waratahs), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Jeremy Williams (Western Force), Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds).
Backs (16): Filipo Daugunu (Queensland Reds), Ben Donaldson ( Western Force), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Len Ikitau (Brumbies), Max Jorgensen (Waratahs), Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs), Tom Lynagh (Queensland Reds), Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds) James O’Connor (Crusaders), Hunter Paisami (Queensland Reds), Dylan Pietsch (Western Force), Harry Potter (Western Force), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Waratahs), Corey Toole (Brumbies), Nic White (Western Force), Tom Wright (Brumbies).
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