Playmaker James O\u2019Connor has pleaded his case to head coach Joe Schmidt ahead of the Wallabies\u2019 squad announcement for the British and Irish Lions series.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 35-year-old missed out on the team for the clash with Fiji, but an injury to Noah Lolesio has opened up a spot at fly-half.<\/p>\n
Ben Donaldson is currently the only fit pivot with youngster Tom Lynagh also nursing an injury, which kept him out of the encounter against the Flying Fijians.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Connor\u2019s name has been bandied about throughout the season, having helped the Crusaders to the Super Rugby Pacific title, and he hopes he\u2019s done enough to make the squad for the Lions.<\/a><\/p>\n Staying fit while in \u2018limbo\u2019<\/p>\n The talented back is still training hard while, as he describes it, being in \u201climbo\u201d, with the former Western Force and Reds star not certain of a call-up.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been in the wings staying fit, training every day, you never know when you\u2019re going to get called upon,\u201d he told the GBRANZ podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, there might be an opportunity. The Reds have looked after me so I\u2019ve been training with a few of the guys and a couple of other guys.<\/p>\n \u201cSamu Kerevi\u2019s [also] in that sort of limbo spot where he\u2019s staying fit and wants to be a part of it if he gets a call.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just training every day. I\u2019ve got the field, got the net up for goal-kicking, got a sauna, got a gym \u2013 what else do you need?\u201d<\/p>\n Joining the show alongside host Andy Rowe and pundits Justin Marshall and Jeremy Paul, O\u2019Connor was asked to give his message and state his case to head coach Schmidt.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIf you pick me, I will do a job for you. I will go to war for you brother. That\u2019s all I can say, I will put this body on the line,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Devastating Wallabies blow as first-choice fly-half to miss B&I Lions Series leaving Joe Schmidt with a massive void<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Missed Lions opportunities<\/p>\n O\u2019Connor also revealed that he was in line to face the Lions for the AUNZ Invitational XV but that the playmaker hit a stumbling block which prevented him from being selected.<\/p>\n The Leicester Tigers-bound fly-half could have also played for the Reds against the famous touring team, according to the pivot, but that did not materialise either.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, I couldn\u2019t get insured for the Anzac game. There was chat about possibly being involved in the Reds game but they got a couple of Wallabies<\/a> guys back.<\/p>\n \u201cI was hoping to be a part of the Anzac game but a few of us couldn\u2019t get insured. I just turned 35 two days ago so I think that\u2019s [the reason].<\/p>\n \u201cI would have loved to have played in that Anzac game but, at the end of the day, put my best foot forward and stay fit. If I get called into camp then I will do my best to do a job, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n