schema:articleBody
| - Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor signed a two-year contract extension Friday that will take the former bad boy of Australian rugby through to the 2023 World Cup. O'Connor has been in sensational form since he returned to the Test fold in 2019 after a six-year exile sparked by a string of off-field incidents. The 30-year-old, who co-captained Queensland Reds to the Super Rugby AU title this year, has become Australia's first-choice pivot and said the Wallabies were on the brink of something special. "I truly feel that we have the group of coaches and players to take Australian rugby back to the top and I want to be part of that more than anything," he said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity I was given and, like I said when I arrived back, I put my service to this country and the Wallaby jersey above all." Wallabies director of rugby Scott Johnson said the 55-Test back had matured immensely since his return and still had a lot to offer Australian rugby. "James also recognises the role he has as a mentor to our next generation too, and that may prove to be his greatest legacy," he said. O'Connor, who briefly flirted with the idea of switching to New Zealand's Waikato Chiefs in Super Rugby, said he now wanted to see out his career with the Reds. "I love this state, I love pulling on the maroon jersey, and this is where I want to finish my career," he said. ns/dj
|