Wallabies Recall Veteran James O’connor At No 10 For South Africa Showdown

Veteran James O’Connor has been called connected to return connected nan playmaking duties arsenic nan Wallabies activity to build connected nan impetus of their third Test triumph complete nan Lions with a uncommon triumph successful South Africa astatine nan commencement of nan Rugby Championship.

But a scheme for nan 35-year-old O’Connor, backmost successful nan greenish and golden aft 3 years, to stock nan No 10 domiciled has had to beryllium shelved aft Ben Donaldson went down injured successful training connected Thursday.

The thought had been for O’Connor to play nan first 40 minutes pinch Donaldson coming connected aft nan break but nan wounded has near nan Wallabies looking astatine risky alternatives successful nan playmaking section arsenic they get group to look nan world champions successful Johannesburg connected Saturday (Sunday AEST).

“In nan 2nd to past play of nan training, Donno kicked nan shot and pulled up short truthful we don’t cognize what nan grade of nan wounded is,” coach Joe Schmidt said aft naming nan team.

“We’ve only been backmost from training for astir an hr truthful he will get a scan now and we’ll person a definitive image because we request to cognize for adjacent week arsenic good whether we request much cover.

“Nic White tin screen No 10 and is astute capable to do so, Andrew Kellaway has nan accomplishment group arsenic good if we spell pinch what we’ve sewage astatine nan moment.”

The inclusion of nan 35-year-old O’Connor astatine fly-half is nan only alteration to nan starting XV that defeated nan British & Irish Lions 22-12 successful Sydney a fortnight ago, arsenic he comes into nan broadside aft Tom Lynagh suffered a concussion successful that encouraging victory.

O’Connor, who helped New Zealand’s Crusaders win nan Super Rugby title this season, hasn’t played for nan Wallabies since 2022. But he still looks nan safest brace of hands aft each nan fly-half woes Schmidt has had to contend withfollowing nan nonaccomplishment of first prime Noah Lolesio pinch cervix trouble.

O’Connor’s halfback partner will beryllium different veteran, White, who has doubled backmost connected his determination to discontinue aft nan Lions bid erstwhile first prime Jake Gordon sewage injured.

Donaldson’s wounded has necessitated a precocious alteration to nan planned chair pinch Schmidt having to switch nan versatile backmost pinch loose guardant Nick Champion de Crespigny.

That intends Australia will spell from a five-three to six-two divided betwixt forwards and backs among nan replacements.

Yet Schmidt sounded upbeat arsenic he noted: “The group has had a bully week of preparation, adjusting beautiful good to nan clip area and nan altitude good present successful Johannesburg.

“There’s not galore bigger Tests than playing South Africa connected their location turf and we cognize we’re going to request to beryllium astatine our champion connected Saturday night.”

Australia are seeking their first triumph astatine Ellis Park since 1963, erstwhile they hit South Africa 11-9.

Australia team:

15–Tom Wright, 14–Max Jorgensen, 13–Joseph Suaalii, 12–Len Ikitau, 11–Dylan Pietsch, 10–James O’Connor, 9–Nic White, 8–Harry Wilson (captain), 7–Fraser McReight, 6–Tom Hooper, 5–Will Skelton, 4–Nick Frost, 3–Taniela Tupou, 2–Billy Pollard, 1–James Slipper

Replacements: 16–Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17–Angus Bell, 18–Zane Nonggorr, 19–Jeremy Williams, 20–Langi Gleeson, 21–Nick Champion de Crespigny, 22–Tate McDermott, 23–Andrew Kellaway.