James O'Connor is not just making up the numbers after his sensational return to international rugby; he’s aiming for a grand finale at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The Wallabies fly-half, resurrected from a three-year exile courtesy of injuries within the squad, has been pivotal in recent Tests, including a triumphant outing against the Springboks in Johannesburg. Now, after a stint with Leicester Tigers in England, O'Connor is back in the southern hemisphere, gearing up for the Bledisloe Cup and setting his sights on an ambitious World Cup roster spot.
Despite his veteran status at 35, O'Connor is keen to defy the odds. Under the guidance of Joe Schmidt and set to work with future coach Les Kiss, he believes his World Cup dream is within reach if his training regimen is carefully managed.
"Honestly, I never would have thought it but the way my body’s feeling now, 100 percent I want it. It’s almost like the Lions story, we’ll see how the body holds up etc. but I know my body well and coaches especially, when they allow you to train in a way that’s a little bit different to possibly the rest of the group because of your age,"
O'Connor shared on the GBRAUNZ podcast.
His strategic approach to training, emphasizing less wear and tear on his body, has been supported by coaches like Rob Penney at the Crusaders, who understands the need to adjust O'Connor’s training load.
"I make kicking a bit of an emphasis and just not having to put the extra miles into my legs. The game day, that 80 minutes, that’s the fun part. I find that easier than when you do a tough day of training and you’ve got to back it up with a double session, and you’re doing it again Thursday to get up for a Saturday game,"
he explained.
At the Wallabies camp, O’Connor's role as an elder statesman has its perks, especially when surrounded by younger teammates eager to rack up training miles.
"It works quite well as well because we’ve got some young 10s with Tommy, Tane and Donno, who want to train more and want the extra kilometres,"
O'Connor noted, half-jokingly adding,
"I’m saying: ‘Here, have five reps and I will take two!'"
His experience and lighter training load are keeping him fresh and competitive, crucial for his World Cup aspirations and current team dynamics.
O’Connor’s integration into the squad and his bold World Cup goals underscore his determination to leave a lasting imprint on Australian rugby, proving that age is just a number when you’re playing at the top of your game.
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James O'Connor is not just making up the numbers after his sensational return to international rugby; he’s aiming for a grand finale at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The Wallabies fly-half, resurrected from a three-year exile courtesy of injuries within the squad, has been pivotal in recent Tests, including a triumphant outing against the Springboks in Johannesburg. Now, after a stint with Leicester Tigers in England, O'Connor is back in the southern hemisphere, gearing up for the Bledisloe Cup and setting his sights on an ambitious World Cup roster spot.
Despite his veteran status at 35, O'Connor is keen to defy the odds. Under the guidance of Joe Schmidt and set to work with future coach Les Kiss, he believes his World Cup dream is within reach if his training regimen is carefully managed.
"Honestly, I never would have thought it but the way my body’s feeling now, 100 percent I want it. It’s almost like the Lions story, we’ll see how the body holds up etc. but I know my body well and coaches especially, when they allow you to train in a way that’s a little bit different to possibly the rest of the group because of your age,"
O'Connor shared on the GBRAUNZ podcast.His strategic approach to training, emphasizing less wear and tear on his body, has been supported by coaches like Rob Penney at the Crusaders, who understands the need to adjust O'Connor’s training load.
"I make kicking a bit of an emphasis and just not having to put the extra miles into my legs. The game day, that 80 minutes, that’s the fun part. I find that easier than when you do a tough day of training and you’ve got to back it up with a double session, and you’re doing it again Thursday to get up for a Saturday game,"
he explained.At the Wallabies camp, O’Connor's role as an elder statesman has its perks, especially when surrounded by younger teammates eager to rack up training miles.
"It works quite well as well because we’ve got some young 10s with Tommy, Tane and Donno, who want to train more and want the extra kilometres,"
O'Connor noted, half-jokingly adding,"I’m saying: ‘Here, have five reps and I will take two!'"
His experience and lighter training load are keeping him fresh and competitive, crucial for his World Cup aspirations and current team dynamics.O’Connor’s integration into the squad and his bold World Cup goals underscore his determination to leave a lasting imprint on Australian rugby, proving that age is just a number when you’re playing at the top of your game.