It’s 12 years since controversial Australian veterans James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale first met the best from Britain and Ireland, but they have been backed to make another brutal impression against the Lions this summer.
O’Connor is 34 and last played Test rugby in 2022. He has been open about his past problems with drugs and alcohol, spending two nights in a Paris jail in 2017 among several other incidents. After seeking professional help, O’Connor is currently playing with New Zealand Super Rugby side Crusaders and is hopeful of an Australian return.
Beale, 36, is also no stranger to front-page headlines. Last year, he was found not guilty of sexual assault of a woman in Sydney. He hasn’t played international rugby since 2021 but was named in Schmidt’s squad last summer prior to sustaining a serious achilles injury which he has only just recovered from.
And for Wallabies great Matt Giteau, his two former team-mates still have plenty to offer Australia head coach Joe Schmidt for their hotly anticipated series with Andy Farrell’s Lions despite their advancing years, injury record and off-field problems.
‘It would be amazing if he was involved again and even more so if he was part of a winning Lions series,’ Resmed ambassador Giteau told Mail Sport of O’Connor. ‘He’s added so much to the Crusaders. He’s coming off the bench and showing a lot of confidence in closing games out. He’s kicked a couple of big kicks in key moments.
‘Even if he’s not the starting 10, to have him in the squad as someone you can bounce ideas off would be beneficial because he’s already experienced a Lions series at home.
Matt Giteau is backing James O’Connor (left) and Kurtley Beale (right) to star for the Wallabies against the Lions this summer
O’Connor (10) consoles Beale after his missed penalty cost Australia victory in the first Test against the Lions in 2013
Giteau (right) was a long-time Australia team-mate of Beale (left) and O’Connor
‘He might have made mistakes in his preparation at times, so now he can help the younger players maybe not make the same ones. Having that sort of experience around can only be a good thing for the squad.’
Beale has 95 Australia caps, eight short of Giteau and five short of becoming his country’s 14th Test centurion – and first indigenous man to do so. In the first Lions Test in 2013, he came close to winning the game for his country, but his left foot slipped as he lined up a last-minute penalty that would have sealed victory in Brisbane. The Lions went on to win that series 2-1.
Giteau added of Beale: ‘It all depends on what Joe wants and the style he wants to play, as well as if Kurtley has got enough minutes under his belt. He’s a phenomenal player and a great person.
‘With the challenges he’s gone through, to still be playing on the highest stage is impressive. If he’s not involved in the Lions, I hope he goes on the northern tour and gets 100 caps. He’d be the first indigenous man to get 100 caps for Australia and I know that would mean a lot to him. I think it’s something he deserves.
‘Kurtley is a constant talker. He and James would offer another very experienced ball player who can give advice and share the load. During a game, they both offer so much.’
For his part, head coach Schmidt has hinted there may well be a place for O’Connor in his team for the Lions.
‘He would bring experience back into the group, a little bit of versatility,’ he said. ‘It’s a very inexperienced group and James would bring that experience.’
The chances of both him and Beale being involved may well depend on how long it takes key Wallaby backs Joseph Sua’ali’i and Noah Lolesio to recover from injury.
Australia superstar Joseph Suaalii suffered broken jaw playing for the Waratahs last week
Fly-half Noah Lolesio is also facing a race against time to be fit to face the Lions
Sua’ali’i is a doubt to face the Lions as he is expected to be out for at least a month after needing surgery on a fractured jaw. No 10 Lolesio is also currently on the sidelines. And O’Connor and Beale also have the priceless ability to play multiple back-line positions.
‘The Wallabies have got a really, really good squad full of confident players,’ said Giteau. ‘We definitely have the team to do it. They’ve got to keep the Lions guessing. I expect these three Tests to be dynamite. The excitement is huge.’
Giteau was left impressed by the 38-man squad named by Lions head coach Farrell earlier this month – one captained by England’s Maro Itoje and which included breakthrough sensation Henry Pollock.
‘Unfortunately, from an Australian perspective, the Lions look strong,’ Giteau said. ‘But the Wallabies players aren’t playing with fear. That reinforces how great a coach Joe is and how he’s transformed the team since the World Cup.’
On 20-year-old Northampton tyro Pollock, Giteau added: ‘I’ve watched a lot of him. At the moment, he’s the talk of the town with what he can do and the way he plays. Even the way he spoke before the Northampton-Leinster game was like he was welcoming the challenge.
‘That’s impressive for a young kid. He has a bit of swagger and character that rugby needs. Everyone just wants to toe the line.
‘But guys like Pollock are great for the game. He’s quick and strong. I think he’s going to learn a lot on this tour, especially surrounded by so many senior guys. That will help take his game to another level. I just hope it doesn’t happen until after the Australia series!
‘Everyone is fair game when you’re out there and competing. It’s not personal. I don’t think Australia will set up a game plan to antagonise the young kid because they’ve got a whole team to worry about. But on the field, there’s always rubbish – a little bit of s*** and niggle.’
Giteau (right) retired from Wallabies duty in 2016 and has spent parts of the last four years playing in Major League Rugby in the USA
Giteau (right) was speaking at the launch of Resmed as official sleep partner of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025
Matt Giteau was speaking at the launch of Resmed as official sleep partner of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025. Resmed is empowering players and fans alike to unlock the power of good sleep this Tour. @resmeduk
Matt Giteau’s three Australian stars to watch this summer
Joseph Sua’ali’i
Age: 21
Position: Centre
Injuries are a part of the game. We would love it if there were no injuries from an Australian point of view because our depth probably isn’t as good as what the Lions have got. To be able to play the way he did in his first Test against England just shows the confidence he has. Joe has told Joseph: ‘You’ve got a certain skillset, so go out there and show that.’ He’s a phenomenal athlete and a very level-headed kid.
Suaalii toyed with England on his Test debut at Twickenham in November
Giteau has nicknamed Len Ikitau as ‘Flickitau’ because of his audacious pass against England in the shock win in November
Rob Valetini is a powerful ball-carrier who will be a real challenge for the Lions to stop
Len Ikitau
Age: 26
Position: Centre
I’m a big fan. He played 12 on the northern tour but he’s playing 13 for the Brumbies at the moment and has signed for a sabbatical in Exeter to play for them next season. I call him ‘Len Flickitau’ because of the pass he made against England at Twickenham. That game was in the balance and what I loved was he came up with a big play.
Rob Valetini
Age: 26
Position: No 8
He is a phenomenal player, a brilliant and powerful ball-carrier who gives the Wallabies great go forward. He played the first half of the Super Rugby season and is now playing some consistent and tough rugby for the Brumbies.