Last Amigo OConnor gets unlikely redemption chance against Lions

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FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn International - England v Australia - Twickenham Stadium, London, Britain - November 13, 2021 Australias James OConnor in action with Englands Marcus Smith Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo

REUTERS

MELBOURNE - Fourteen years after being a no-show for a World Cup team photo-shoot, James OConnor was never going to miss one on Friday for the Wallabies squad to face the British amp; Irish Lions.

Wedged between loose forward Rob Valetini and scrumhalf Jake Gordon, the much-travelled 35-year-old beamed from the front row of the team photo at Lang Park, back in a gold jersey again.

It has been three years since OConnor played the last of his 64 tests, having been overlooked by Eddie Jones for the 2023 World Cup and by current Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt through his first season.

But with injury befalling the unfortunate Noah Lolesio, circumstances have gifted OConnor an improbable shot at redemption 12 years on from his ill-fated series against Warren Gatlands Lions.

Noahs injury opened up a doorway for me. And even then, again, I still didnt think Id made it, he told reporters.

So, to be here right now and to be given the opportunity to be with this group of men, Im bloody excited.

Back in the 2013 Lions series, OConnor was both the pin-up and the bad boy of Australian rugby, boasting a fantastic highlights reel and a record of off-field indiscretions.

One of the so-called Three