Australia 2025

James O'Connor named in Wallabies 36-man Test Squad

Veteran fly-half James O'Connor has been selected in Australia's 36-man squad ahead of the Test matches against The British & Irish Lions.

James O'Connor

Veteran fly-half James O'Connor has been selected in Australia's 36-man squad ahead of the Test matches against The British & Irish Lions.

Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt has awarded the 35-year-old his first call-up since 2022 after he helped Crusaders win this year's Super Rugby title.

Schmidt said: "Obviously, I had a few conversations with James during the year, and he had a good Super season for the Crusaders.

"He stayed close. He stayed connected the whole way through. So that experience can potentially help the players again, particularly our young 10s, as they continue to progress as well."

O'Connor rose to prominence at 18, after becoming the second youngest Wallaby ever when he made his debut in 2008 against Italy.

He instantly became a star and famously converted his own try with the clock in the red to win back the Bledisloe Cup at age 22.

The fly-half will be playing for Leicester Tigers next season after previous stints in England with London Irish and Sale Sharks.

O'Connor said: "It hasn't sunk in yet, genuinely, it's very surreal.

"I feel like I've sort of been building to this for quite a while, even my role and how I did that during Super Rugby, and tailoring it for a possible way to be able to play in the Lions series."

The fly-half has been recalled because of incumbent playmaker Noah Lolesio's neck injury against Fiji, with the Wallabies needing a third stand-off.

O'Connor said: "You never like to see anyone go down, but Noah's injury opened up a doorway for me.

"Even then again, I still didn't think I'd made it so to be here right now and to be given the opportunity to be with this group of men, I am bloody excited."

Elsewhere, there are two uncapped players in the squad, ACT Brumbies wing Corey Toole and Western Force back-row Nick Champion de Crespigny.

James Slipper, along with O'Connor, could join George Smith as the only Wallabies to play in consecutive Lions Tours.

Slipper is currently on 144 Test caps and could close the gap to Richie McCaw (148), Sam Whitelock (153), and Alun Wyn Jones (171), who are the only players in the history of the game with more caps than the Wallaby legend.

Two key names in the pack, Rob Valentini and Will Skelton, have both been included despite carrying calf injuries in recent times.

Scrum-half Jake Gordon is also included whilst recovering from a hamstring problem, though Schmidt has suggested he will be available for the first Test.

Finally, Josh Canham is the only other new call-up from the squad that took on Fiji, replacing Darcy Swain.

Wallabies squad

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.

Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright.

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