O'Connor to the rescue: Wallabies seek to revive against Ireland with key changes

James O’Connor to lead the Wallabies against Ireland

Experienced player James O’Connor has been called up to take the reins of the Wallabies, who are looking to revitalize their season in Dublin against Ireland. With Joe Schmidt returning for his final encounter with the Wallabies in the city where he is revered as one of Ireland’s greatest coaches, he has turned to the experience of 35-year-old O’Connor to inspire a necessary renewal on Saturday. After losing five of their last six matches and suffering defeats to England and Italy, Schmidt hopes that O’Connor, who orchestrated Australia’s surprising victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park, can repeat his magic. In the unstable opening position for the Wallabies, with five different players in that position this year, the England-based player replaces Carter Gordon, who suffered a quadriceps injury in the loss to Italy and is not in the squad. Tane Edmed, who lost his place to Gordon after his disappointing performance against England, is back on the bench.

James O'Connor is back in the Wallabies No. 10 jersey for this weekend's clash with Ireland

James O’Connor returns to the Wallabies’ fly-half position for this weekend’s clash against Ireland

“They saw Carter at the game, he stopped immediately after making a kick, he was very cramped and we think it’s a risk to put him back in this week,” Schmidt said. “That ruled out Carter, so we were left with Tane and that’s one of the reasons we brought James back. And Tane has had, he’s had a pretty busy schedule lately.

Len Ikitau, a John Eales Medal winner, also returns as a starter at Lansdowne Road, resuming his partnership in the center with Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii for the twelfth time in the last 16 Wallabies matches. Max Jorgensen has been selected at fullback in Dublin as the Wallabies look to reignite their attack to secure a top-six ranking, which is crucial for the next World Cup draw. In the first line, Allan Alaalatoa also returns to the starting XV, with the added reinforcement that fellow prop Angus Bell is fit to start. There’s a reshuffle behind them, with Tom Hooper moving to lock alongside Jeremy Williams, while Rob Valetini starts at blindside flanker to join forces familiar with Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson in the back row.

The second line Nick Frost moves to an impact role from the bench, with Carlo Tizzano, recovered from recent injury problems, coming on as a substitute in the third line.

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