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  • NZ Rugby World

    THE SECOND COMING

    Aug 12, 2021 5 minutes
    ‘IT’S A GREAT STORY BECAUSE HE’S DONE WHAT HE SAID HE’D DO. THERE’S LOTS OF EXCITING THINGS AHEAD FOR HIM.’
    REDS COACH BRAD THORN ON JAMES O’CONNOR

    You know James O’Connor is a new man by simply looking at his normal haircut when he runs out for the Wallabies.

    He’s no longer the platinum blond who was craving attention at French club Toulon where former All Black Ali Williams was once a dubious running mate.

    There are no streaks or out-there fashion cuts and the topknot thing he tried is long gone.

    “I don’t need to be flash anymore, that’s just ego, insecurity, really,” the elder of the Wallabies’ backline can now reflect.

    “I got to a point there, where I wasn’t capable of expressing myself how I wanted through my rugby on the field so I did it through those looks I guess.

    “Some of the

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