One Percenters: Joseph's blunt response to Wallabies opening, O'Connor All Blacks rumour killer

Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 12:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

With all the different teams playing across the world doing media, it can be hard to keep on top of a lot of the stories coming out.

Rugby is filled with them across all levels of the game and whilst most are covered through some form of media, there are others that might have slipped off the radar as Super Rugby Pacific and Harry Wilson's re-signing

Watch every match of Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand exclusively on Stan Sport.

One Percenters looks at everything you might have missed from the past week of Rugby.

Joseph rules himself out of Wallabies job

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has made his stance clear on the soon-to-be-vacant Wallabies coaching position.

Joseph was one of several names thrown up after Joe Schmidt's announcement he would depart his position at the end of the Rugby Championship.

Asked if he had any interest in the role following their loss to the NSW Waratahs, the former Japan boss shut down any speculation.

"No mate, I'm a Highlander," he said and walked off.

Sorry All Blacks fans

It took just one impressive showing from the bench for Kiwi fans to fall in love with James O'Connor after a strong debut for the Crusaders.

This led many to do the maths and suggested that the former Red could be eligible for the All Blacks later in the year, given that his last test was in 2022.

However, RA sources have confirmed O'Connor's appearance for Australia A against Portugal in 2023 reset the three-year stand-down period, meaning he wouldn't be available until 2026.

Besides, O'Connor told GBRANZ that his intentions remain in the gold jersey ahead of the Lions tour.

“That (playing for the Crusaders) was probably the biggest driver but that does play into the fact that I do want to play for the Wallabies in that Lions series,” he told the podcast.

“I am very aware the other guys have got a nod first, but I’m just putting that question out there. If I’m playing well enough and I’m doing a job, why can’t I be in the question still?”

Levi battling Olympic superstars for honour

Sevens superstar Maddison Levi is amongst a star-studded field up for a major honour at the Gold Coast Awards, nominated for Athlete of the Year.

Levi is joined by Olympic champions Kaylee McKeown, Keegan Palmer, Cameron Mcevoy, Arisa Trew and boxing champion Jai Opetaia

It comes after a special year for Levi, who claimed the Sevens and Olympic records for most tries in a tournament.

She is currently working her way back from a broken hand and is still an outside chance of featuring for the Reds in Super Rugby Women's before returning to Sevens for March's Hong Kong event.

Surprise Rugby 25 ratings

The game Rugby 25 is out, and the initial player ratings are well interesting, to say the least.

Antoine Dupont was the clear number one at 91 overall, but second place is where the contention starts, with Sale's Tadgh McElroy rated a 90, an uncapped Ireland hooker.

It gets weirder from here, with English winger Anthony Watson third, joined on 90 by MLR flyhalf Tim Swiel.

Len Ikitau and Tom Wright were the highest Australians at 88 rated, which is fair.

Expect an early patch to rectify some of those other ratings though...

Social Post of the week

We head to the USA for one of the wilder finishes of the year.

All Miami had to do was kick the ball out to close the win out with just 13 players left on the field.

Instead, chaos ensured as you'll see in the clip above.

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