Quade Cooper's recent match-winning heroics against South Africa are proof there is a path to Wallabies redemption, and James O'Connor could be next for a return to his former glories.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie reaped the benefits after recalling Cooper following a four-year Test absence, with the No. 10 kicking his side to victory over the Springboks last Sunday.
James O'Connor's international absence hasn't been nearly as long given he played for the national team as recently as December, while injury has blocked his route back to selection.
The former starlet of Australian rugby has endured a career comprising many highs and plenty of lows, but Rennie suggests his latest comeback could come with a change of position.
Cooper's resurgence complicates O'Connor's return considering the Wallabies now appear to have their answer in regards to whom should have the No. 10 jersey.
That's led Rennie to suggest O'Connor could be converted to play more permanently as a full-back.
“This is the best I’ve seen James,” said Rennie told reporters on Thursday.
“Even through Super Rugby, he never did a lot of high-speed metres. We want him to be a genuine threat at 10 if space opens up that he can attack.
“He ended up injuring a groin in preparation for the French tests (but) he’s worked extremely hard. He looks really sharp. We’re keen to get some footy into him."
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Cooper was again named at 10 for Saturday's Rugby Championship rematch against world champions South Africa, while O'Connor continues his recovery on the sidelines.
Brumbies star Tom Banks has started at full-back in each of Australia's seven Tests thus far in 2021, but parts of his game have earned some negative attention.
The current No. 15 came up with three tries in as many Bledisloe Cup outings against New Zealand earlier this summer, but his defensive work and kicking in particular have been scrutinised.
Now 31, O'Connor is closing in on a return to full fitness after suffering a groin injury in mid-June.
While he won't face the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium, however, he could be reintroduced for the final Rugby Championship games against Argentina.
“He’d be a strong contender for next week. We feel we could definitely play both those guys in the same 23. It certainly brings a lot of experience," Rennie continued.
“James, like Quade, has a lot of test footy under his belt. He was really impressive in our environment. He’s a cool head and you see the influence he has on the Reds. To have someone like James come back in the fold for us would be gold.”
Controversy has followed O'Connor throughout much of his career and particularly early on after he burst onto the scene in 2008 with the Western Force.
Only 18 at the time, O'Connor earned his Wallabies debut later that year and was the toast of Australian rugby, but several off-field scandals precipitated a fall from grace.
The playmaker has gone on to play for Toulon, London Irish and Sale Sharks, but he appears to have rediscovered some consistency since returning to the Queensland Reds in 2019.
O'Connor has represented Australia in every back position despite being a fly-half by trade, but Rennie continued to praise the work he's put in adapting to the full-back specifications.
“Look, James has got himself into really good nick," the Wallabies coach said.
“We would definitely not have played him at full-back a couple of months ago and prior to that because, from a high-speed running perspective, he just hasn’t had any decent numbers for the last couple of years.
“But he’s worked really hard over that last period and it’s the sharpest I’ve seen him.
“So he’s definitely back into a physical shape where we think we could use him as utility as opposed as just a 10.”
O'Connor earned 44 Wallabies caps between 2008 and 2013, but it would be another six years before he was recalled by the national team after leaving Australia for Europe.
Like Cooper, he's taken the scenic route back into the national team fold but appears a more mature figure following that adversity.
Three years ago, it would have been considered almost unimaginable that we might some day see former Reds team-mates O'Connor and Cooper line up in the same Wallabies team.
An impending recall for the former would serve as further testament to the power of persistence, with two fallen stars once again set to sparkle for the Wallabies.
