Pat O'Connor signs one-year deal with Waratahs
Pat O'Connor has signed a one-year contract to play for Super 15 side the Waratahs.
The lock has been brought in to replace Will Caldwell who has been granted leave after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease. O'Connor has good experience of playing in the Super 15 but has been hampered
by bad injuries during his career.
"I think anyone who makes it to Super Rugby level has aspirations of taking the next step and I haven't lost any of
that ambition to one day make the Wallabies. The only way to do that is to be playing regular footy," said O'Connor.
O'Connor has many attributes that will make him an important player at his new club. However, his lack of physical fitness will prevent him playing a large number of games
consecutively.
Player attributes
O'Connor is a very intimidating player on any rugby field. He is not a small man and immediately gives off the impression that he's not afraid to get stuck into the opposition
with some big challenges.
He has a very good tactical rugby mind, which helps when his team is under pressure. He can quickly shout orders and organise various sections of the team. This makes it
easier for other players to defend or attack.
The only major worry with the player is that he isn't as physically fit as some of the smaller players in the side. As a lock he will get tired very quickly and may need
to be substituted late in games. This is not ideal if he has plans to play more than a few games in a row.
"Now I've got the chance to play regularly.
I came here with a view to playing at a high level and hope for an opportunity to come along, and now that it has I'm determined to make the most of it," he
added.
Betting advice
The Waratahs are well placed at third in the Super 15 table. O'Connor should make the defence harder to break down. Don't back him to score many tries because he won't
get forward too often.
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