The race for the All Blacks’ No. 10 jersey just got a whole lot more intense, and now a former Wallabies star has stirred the pot with a take that could reshuffle the entire deck. James O’Connor, the veteran playmaker who has spent time with both the Wallabies and Leicester Tigers, is making waves with his bold assessment of New Zealand’s fly-half depth — and he’s reportedly throwing his full weight behind a rising star from the Hurricanes.
According to O’Connor, the All Blacks should seriously consider handing the starting fly-half reins to Ruben Love when they face off against France, Italy, and Ireland in the upcoming Nations Championship Tests in July. And he’s not just politely suggesting it — sources close to the situation claim O’Connor is adamant that Love’s current form is simply too hot to ignore.
“Honestly, I think all three played really well. Taha Kemara controlled the game beautifully,” O’Connor said on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, referring to the Crusaders’ young No. 10. “But Ruben — that was the best game I’ve seen him play. The interconnected plays, his acceleration off the mark, the footwork at the line — he was so classy.”
Love’s performance in the Hurricanes’ demolition of the Brumbies (66-12) was nothing short of a statement. The 23-year-old went 7-for-8 on goal kicks, showing a composure that O’Connor says is crucial at the international level. “He’s hitting the ball so clean off the tee. At international level, that’s everything.”
But here’s where it gets spicy: O’Connor is also hyping up Chiefs star Damian McKenzie, who returned from a head injury to sparkle in a 46-24 win over the Reds. “That quick tap, the two tries — he showed his class. You’re spoiled for choice,” O’Connor admitted.
Even so, insiders say O’Connor’s gut tells him Love is the man for the moment, especially given his established chemistry with Hurricanes teammate Cam Roigard — the scrum-half widely expected to start for the All Blacks this July. “If you’re talking form, you’ve got to say Love,” O’Connor said. “And who are you picking at nine? Roigard. They know each other. That connection matters.”
But with Richie Mo’unga reportedly returning soon and Beauden Barrett still very much in the picture, the fly-half battle is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about decisions new head coach Dave Rennie will face. O’Connor, who played under Rennie during his tenure with the Wallabies, gave a glimpse into what the new boss expects: a No. 10 who can “thread the line,” pull the trigger from anywhere, and run as well as he kicks.
“He’s all about details,” O’Connor explained. “He wants a fly-half who can run the ball, kick flat, and make decisions under pressure. All three of those guys can do that.”
Still, O’Connor — ever the realist — cautioned that Super Rugby success doesn’t always translate to Test rugby. “Test footy is about margins. High pressure. I haven’t seen Love dominate at that level yet. Not to say he can’t. He moves so well. But there are guys who’ve been doing it for five, almost ten years.”
With the All Blacks entering a new era under Rennie, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Fans and pundits alike are reportedly buzzing about what could be a seismic shift in the lineup — one that might just redefine the team’s attacking identity for years to come.
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