O’Connor poised for pivot
23 Nov 2011
James O’Connor looks increasingly likely to start at flyhalf in Australia’s Test against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday.
Quade Cooper’s serious knee injury, sustained at the World Cup, has left a void in the position and it is one coach Robbie Deans appears to have asked O’Connor to fill. He trained there in the team’s hour-long session, their first since arriving in London, on Tuesday, but Deans also has the option of running Berrick Barnes in the position.
O’Connor received the endorsement of scrumhalf Will Genia. ‘He can ball play, he has shown that in Super Rugby [for the Western Force],’’ Australian halfback Will Genia said. ‘‘He really wants the opportunity and hopefully Robbie gives it to him. We will how see how he goes,’ Genia said.
Meanwhile, loose forwards Matt Hodgson and Scott Higginbotham missed the session with illness but were both expected to be available for selection this weekend.
5 Comments
23 Nov 2011, 10:22 am
serendipitous development for the rebels…
good for them…
good for aussie rugby…
good for rugby lovers around the world to watch O’Connor in his favored position for an extended run…
23 Nov 2011, 11:33 am
The Aussies should play O’Connor at 12 when they are back to full strength to accomodate Ioane and Mitchell on the wings…
15 Kurtley Beale
14 Drew Mitchell
13 Adam Ashley-Cooper
12 James O’Connor
11 Digby Ioane
10 Quade Cooper
9 Will Genia
Its also time that Higginbotham and Polota-Nau are given chances in the forwards…
8 Scott Higginbotham
7 David Pocock
6 Rocky Elsom
5 James Horwill
4 Ben McCalman
3 Ben Alexander
2 Tatafu Polota- Nau
1 Benn Robinson
16 Stephen Moore
17 Sekope Kepu
18 Dan Vickerman
19 Matt Hodgson
20 Nick Phipps
21 Berrick Barnes
22 Lachie Turner
23 Nov 2011, 11:36 am
It’s a bit odd, I think – though he has the talent to pull it off. I would have thought the obvious choice was Barnes at 10 and O’Connor at 12, with an eye to him moving to 10 later. But then again Deans is a bit odd – Ben McCalman at openside, for example.
23 Nov 2011, 12:38 pm
With these two there and no McCabe nor Quade… it really doesn’t make a difference who’ll play 10/12… Barnes will play 10 against Wales though…
Going to be interesting to see if Lucas is given the bench 10 back-up after such a good season for Aus A and Aus Baa-baas this year… not too mention a massive year at club level…
@Rhys7(Rhys7)-2:
Deans will revert back to 5/2 splits when everyone is back to full strength ( a mistake he made in the semi’s)… ie 3 locks/ 5 loosies…
Why would you put McCalman at lock… he’s a weak option at blind-side and 8 as it is… plenty of locks in Aus heading into 2012 with Hugh Pyle next in line…
23 Nov 2011, 12:50 pm
Still think Berrick Barnes will be the pivot – would be better to put o connor in at 12 – but i am sure the two will rotate
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.