James O’Connor said he was willing to fly 34,000 kilometres to play in the Bledisloe Cup opener, after the veteran playmaker was released by the Wallabies to join his new club Leicester on Monday.

O’Connor’s involvement – or otherwise – in the Bledisloe Cup series will be one of the major talking points when Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt announces his squad on Thursday for the opening trans-Tasman clash in Auckland next week.

The 35-year-old this year returned to the Wallabies squad after a three-year absence, and has impressed in starting and bench roles during The Rugby Championship.

But despite saying openly he was keen to delay his move to England and play in the upcoming two-game Bledisloe Cup series against the All Blacks, Schmidt appears likely to put his faith in Tom Lynagh, T

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