James O'Connor

The star continues to rise for this prodigious rugby talent.O’Connor has already established himself in Super Rugby as potent attacking threat while his international career shows no signs of abating.

O’Connor was the youngest debutant in Super rugby history when he was sent on as replacement against the Reds in Brisbane in 2008 aged 17. He was the second youngest player ever to represent the Wallabies when he made his Test debut against Italy in Padova later that year.

After four caps in 2008 he played 10 matches in 2009 and scored five tries to be the club’s second leading try scorer that season (tied with Ryan Cross). He continued to grow in stature on the test scene as well and became the first Australian player to score a hat-trick of tries in his run-on debut for the Wallabies (2009 v Italy in Canberra).

He took home the Emirates Western Force 2009 ‘Rookie of the Year’ award and was also named the Wallabies ‘Rookie of the Year’ at the 2009 John Eales Medal dinner.

Possessing a dangerous sidestep and sublime ball skills O’Connor is one of the most exciting young talents in world rugby.