James O’Connor Clings to Bledisloe Dream: Wallabies Star Eyes Return Despite England Bound
Auckland, September 16, 2025 — With the Rugby Championship winding down and the storied Bledisloe Cup looming, James O’Connor is refusing to let his Wallabies chapter close just yet. The 35-year-old playmaker, fresh off a gritty comeback that helped Australia snag second place in the standings, jetted off to England this week to link up with Leicester Tigers. But in a heartfelt social media post, O’Connor made it clear: He’s still gunning for one last crack at the All Blacks in what would be his first Bledisloe appearance in five years. As the squad announcement nears, his plea adds a layer of drama to a series that’s already stacked with stakes.
A Comeback Kid’s Reluctant Exit
O’Connor’s return to the gold jersey this winter has been nothing short of a revelation. After a three-year international hiatus, the Queensland native was thrust back into the fray amid injuries to the fly-half ranks, debuting off the bench in a thrilling 28-24 upset over South Africa in Johannesburg. He followed it up with a pivotal role in the Wallabies’ late rally against Argentina in Townsville, guiding the side to a hard-fought win that vaulted them ahead of the Pumas on the world rankings. With 68 caps under his belt and a knack for exploiting tired defenses, O’Connor has been the steady hand coach Joe Schmidt needed.
But timing is everything in rugby, and O’Connor’s new deal with Leicester—inked after a title-winning stint as an impact sub for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific—means his Wallabies clock is ticking. Initially slated to join the Tigers post-Lions series, he delayed for four Tests down under. Now, with the Bledisloe opener set for September 27 at Eden Park, negotiations between Schmidt, O’Connor, and Tigers boss Geoff Parling are in overdrive. Parling, a former Wallabies assistant, admitted he’s “hopeful of getting him” soon but respects the pull of international duty.
The Social Media Lifeline: “See You Soon… Hopefully”
O’Connor didn’t mince words on Instagram Monday, posting a family photo at the airport with wife Isabella and son Luca, all smiles amid the uncertainty. “This is not goodbye… it’s see you soon… hopefully… Bledisloe,” he captioned, tossing in a fingers-crossed emoji for good measure. It’s a nod to the two-Test series against New Zealand that doubles as Rugby Championship finale, where a win could lock in Australia’s top-six seeding for the 2027 World Cup pools.
Teammates are in his corner. Halfback Tate McDermott and center Len Ikitau have publicly lobbied for O’Connor’s inclusion, with Ikitau calling him “awesome for us” after the Pumas thriller. McDermott echoed that sentiment, praising O’Connor’s positive outlook and confidence that “brings everyone with him.” Schmidt, meanwhile, has played it coy: No final call yet, but he’s “definitely keen to stay” per O’Connor’s own words on a recent podcast. The squad drops this week, leaving fans—and O’Connor—on tenterhooks.
Bigger Picture: Stability vs. Experience in Schmidt’s Squad
For Schmidt, building a core of young guns like Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed is key, especially with Noah Lolesio eyeing a Japan move next year. O’Connor’s potential absence joins a growing list—lock Will Skelton is also sidelined by Top 14 commitments with La Rochelle—testing the depth ahead of Eden Park’s fortress. Yet, as one analyst put it, O’Connor’s “experienced general” vibe could be the X-factor against a resurgent All Blacks side hungry for redemption.
From his boy-wonder debut at 18 to that iconic last-gasp try against the Kiwis in 2010, O’Connor’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs, lows, and 270-plus Test points. A Bledisloe swansong? It’d cap a storybook arc. As the plane lifts off for Leicester, all eyes are on whether Schmidt pulls the veteran back for one more gold moment. In rugby’s unpredictable theater, hope springs eternal—fingers crossed for JOC.