James O'Connor is all smiles after the Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific final win over the Blues. Photo: Photosport
Australia coach Joe Schmidt has called up experienced first-five eight James O'Connor to his Wallabies squad for the three tests against the British & Irish Lions after losing Noah Lolesio to injury for the series.
Lolesio required neck surgery after suffering whiplash in the win over Fiji last weekend so 35-year-old O'Connor gets a second shot at facing the Lions after starting at flyhalf in all three tests in 2013, when Australia lost 2-1.
O'Connor, who played the last of his 64 tests in 2022, has enjoyed a renaissance this year as playing for the Crusaders in their title-winning campaign in Super Rugby Pacific.
He did not start a single match, however, so is likely to be used as a bench option to back up inexperienced playmakers Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh.
Schmidt made only one other change to his squad for the Fiji game, bringing in Josh Canham to boost his stocks of second-row forwards after the one-cap lock impressed for the Queensland Reds against the Lions.
Powerful lock Will Skelton and loose forward Rob Valetini, who both missed the Fiji game because of calf injuries, were included, as was hooker Dave Porecki despite suffering a concussion in the last-gasp victory over the Pacific islanders.
Jake Gordon, touted in some quarters as a potential captain for the series, also missed the Fiji match with a hamstring strain but retains his place as one of three halfbacks in the squad with Nic White and Tate McDermott.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
"As Wallabies coaches, we have tried to balance continuity with form and freshness, but there were some very tight calls," Schmidt said in Brisbane, where the series kicks off on July 19.
"We're conscious of how special it is to play the British and Irish Lions, so for those selected in the squad, they'll be competing for test jerseys, while also trying to help others prepare.
"We need to improve our accuracy and cohesion with a very short runway leading up to the first test here in eight days. We are excited by what's to come."
Winger Corey Toole, who showed his pace to score a try against the Lions for the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday, and flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny, who faced the tourists for Western Force, are the only uncapped players in the 36-man squad.
-Reuters
