Australia prop James Slipper backs James O’Connor to rebound from kicking issues
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Australia's James O'Connor in action with South Africa's Kwagga Smith during the 38-22 Rugby Championship win at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Aug 16, 2025.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MELBOURNE – Australia prop James Slipper has backed fly-half James O’Connor to move past his goal-kicking struggles against South Africa, saying the playmaker has the experience to bounce back for the Rugby Championship clash with Argentina on Sept 6.
O'Connor missed three shots off the tee late in the 30-22 defeat in Cape Town as the Wallabies suffered their first loss to sit second on the table behind New Zealand after two rounds.
“Look, we all have our moments, and I know ‘JOC’ will be better for it,” Slipper told reporters on Sept 1.
“He’s been around long enough to know how to deal with setbacks, and we’ve got full confidence in him heading into the Argentina game.”
The Wallabies meet the Pumas in Townsville a year on from conceding an Australian record total of points in their 67-27 humiliation by the South Americans in Santa Fe.
Argentina, meanwhile, arrive in form after claiming their first home win over the All Blacks in Buenos Aires.
The Wallabies squad have been hit with a slew of injuries but Slipper and fellow prop Allan Alaalatoa are back in the mix.
Slipper missed the second Test against the Springboks after a head knock in the Wallabies’ upset of the South Africans at Ellis Park.
Alaalatoa has been out of action with a shoulder problem since the British & Irish Lions series, and Slipper was thrilled to have his 83-cap teammate back in the set-up ahead of the crunch game in Queensland.
“He’s such a calming presence, a real leader in our team. A bit of a father figure, to be honest,” he said.
“Just having him around the squad again lifts everyone.
“Argentina are always physical, always up for a battle, so having Allan’s presence up front is massive for us.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand centre Timoci Tavatavanawai will miss the remainder of the Rugby Championship with an arm fracture but midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown and prop Tyrel Lomax have rejoined the squad in Auckland ahead of a blockbuster Test against South Africa.
Former Fiji Under-20 player Tavatavanawai, who made his Test debut during the France series in July, fractured a radius bone playing for Tasman in domestic rugby and will be out for an estimated 12 weeks, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said on Sept 1.
Lienert-Brown missed New Zealand’s first-ever defeat by the Pumas in Argentina following a head-on-head clash in the opening Test in Cordoba for which he earned a yellow card.
He returns after completing concussion protocols.
Experienced prop Lomax will be available for selection for the Sept 6 clash at Eden Park in another boost for the All Blacks, after missing the Argentina tests with a hand fracture. REUTERS
