| Name |
James O'Connor |
| Position |
Flyhalf/Centre |
| Height |
180cm |
| Weight |
80kg |
| Date of Birth |
05/07/1990 |
| Super 14 Team |
Western Force 2008- |
| Super 12/14 Points |
5 (1t) |
| Super 12/14 Caps |
4 |
| Test Points |
0 |
| Test Caps |
1 |
| Test Debut |
2008 v Italy, Padova |
| Honours |
Australian Schools 2007, Australian Sevens 2008; Australian Wallabies 2008- |
| Senior Tours |
2008 Hong Kong & Europe |
At aged 18 years and 126 days, JAMES O’CONNOR became the second youngest player to appear for the Qantas Wallabies, when capped in the late stages of Australia’s 30-20 win over Italy at Padova. The former Australian Schools representative was 18 years and 80 days on the date of his Qantas Wallabies selection. Only 1957 Wallaby winger Brian Ford (who was 18 years and 90 days old) played for Australia at a younger age. The Italian appearance was one of two for O’Connor on the Qantas Wallabies 2008 Spring Tour. He later featured for 64 minutes during Australia’s 18-11 win over a star-studded Barbarians side in the non-cap tour finale at Wembley. Both of O’Connor’s tour appearances were achieved playing fullback, although he can also play flyhalf or inside centre.
An Australian Schools representative in 2007 and an Australian Sevens rep earlier in 2008 where he appeared at the Adelaide and Hong Kong tournaments, O’Connor hails from Brisbane’s Nudgee College – the same institution that produced the 2008 Wallabies Hugh McMeniman and Rocky Elsom. O’Connor joined the Western Force for the third Investec Super 14, making his debut back in familiar territory in Brisbane against the Queensland Reds. Through his family connections, O’Connor was also eligible for both South Africa and New Zealand. His 84-year-old grand father Maurice O’Connor represented Wellington.
2006 Selected in an Australian Under-16 ‘merit’ side after appearing for the Queensland Under-16s in the national championships in Sydney.
2007 Featured in the Queensland I side which won the Australian Schools Division I championships at Canberra in July. Was selected from that tournament for the Australian Schools team which played the England Under-18s in August, and then Samoa Schools in September.
2008 Made his Investec Super 14 debut for the Western Force against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane. Wound up his maiden Super rugby season with four caps, then featured in every match on the Force’s developmental tour of the United Kingdom, before returning to Europe on the Qantas Wallabies Spring Tour where he became Australia’s second youngest representative in making his Test debut against Italy. Completed the tour with a stand out performance against the Barbarians at Wembley.
