I just went back on line to confirm that it was in fact him hanging out with Ponga & Watson. He was wearing his sunglasses inside the pub, and kept trying to shield his face from the camera.
In saying all this, the pub was in Sydney & he was team mates with Watson at the Roosters.
Could be something more to it though, as Watson was questioning what was going on with the Knights roster as only Frizzel has joined them with about 4 spots to fill.
O'Brien would have also had a link as assistant coach at Roosters too I believe.