Schmidt has never fully endorsed him, and when he does, it is couched in “short-term focus, long-term vision.” That line feels as hollow as O’Connor’s old “brand O’Connor” phrase. The truth is, brand Wallabies, brand Schmidt, and brand O’Connor all exist. From my view as a lifelong sports lover, Rugby Australia and Schmidt should be held accountable for this fiasco. Who, in Rugby Australia, has the common sense to say, “Let us not send James”? Until Rugby Australia has someone willing to call out poor decisions, they will squander the momentum the players have worked so hard to create.