MELBOURNE : James O’Connor has declared himself fit to face England in next month’s three-test series and fight for the Wallabies starting flyhalf position.
O’Connor is battling Quade Cooper and Noah Lolesio for the number 10 jersey but is short of match fitness after a hamstring injury late in Queensland’s Super Rugby campaign.
With Australia to meet Eddie Jones’s England in the first test in Perth on July 2, O’Connor must convince coach Dave Rennie he is ready during training sessions.
“I’m fully fit,” the 31-year-old told reporters on Thursday.
“I’ve been in training camps for the past two weeks and I was just a smidgen off competing in that quarter-final against the Crusaders.
“It’s high competition,” he added of his rivalry with Cooper and Lolesio.
“Each of us play in our own unique way and we all have different strengths and weaknesses but it’s going to be a good, tough battle.”
All three played 10 last season, with Lolesio slotting in during the series win over France with O’Connor absent due to a groin injury.
Cooper then returned from club duties in Japan to rejuvenate the Wallabies during the Rugby Championship after they were whitewashed by New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup.
O’Connor reclaimed the position for the season-ending tour of Britain, but struggled to impose himself during defeats to Scotland, England and Wales.
He said it wasn’t his best tour, having prepared for heavy conditions that didn’t occur.
While focusing on flyhalf, O’Connor added that he would be open to switching to fullback despite more a decade passing since playing in the position.
“If Dave wants me to, I’ll put my hand up and play 15 for sure,” he said.
“We spoke about it a little last year … We haven’t had too much communication.
“Now we’re in, we’ll see what happens.”
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