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Thrust into the playmaking role at Western Force this season, Wallabies winger James O'Connor has already shown he is more than up to the task of directing a rugby side around the park.
The 20-year-old has already played 27 Tests at fullback and wing, but a shift into five-eighth with the Wallabies now appears to be a matter of when, not if.
That’s the opinion of Fox Sports commentator and former Australia fullback Greg Martin, who said that while coach Robbie Deans has some high-quality players in the inside backs, O'Connor is destined to end up in the prized gold No.10.
"The next logical step for him is to be the Wallabies No.10. He could be there now" Martin told foxsports.com.au of O'Connor.
"The problem is that we’ve got four Wallabies five-eighths."
There is no denying O'Connor's immense ability and his status as one of Deans's premier talents, but Martin's belief in the 20-year-old's development at fly half is sure to set tongues wagging.
While many would argue O'Connor still has much to learn at fly half, his standout performances in the Force's winless start to the Super Rugby season suggest Martin’s high praise is not unwarranted.
The Wallabies winger, who kicked Austalia to victory in the 2010 Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong, has been combining his well-known counter-attacking skills with a level head and solid defence.
This was no more evident than in the Force's 22-all draw with the Blues at nib Stadium, where O'Connor was near flawless with boot and went within a whisker of scoring one of the tries of the season.
Martin, who called the round-four clash for Fox Sports, believes O'Connor has all the qualities needed to be a success in the most important position on the rugby field.
"He’a natural No.10, that's where he's played his whole life," Martin said.
"He’s been manufactured into a winger and fullback over the last few years and now he's back to where he should be.
"He's got unbelievable amounts of time, he's not scared in contact, his footwork is incredible and his vision is wonderful."
While O'Connor is yet to spend any time at fly half for the Wallabies, that, as Martin says, may not be far as far away as many might think.
With Wallabies incumbent Quade Cooper set to field offers from the NRL after the World Cup and veteran playmaker Matt Giteau off to enjoy the French sun in Toulon, there's every chance that O'Connor could find himself at fly half for arguably the biggest event outside of rugby’s showpiece tournament, the British and Irish Lions Tour.
That inbound tour, in 2013, may yet prove to be enough to keep Cooper in the 15-man game.
But should the Queensland Reds five-eighth walk, Martin, for one, won't be shocked if it's O'Connor who gets the job of directing the Wallabies around the park in the historic three-Test series.
"It would not surprise me in the least if Quade isn’t there," he said.
It may seem to some a little far-fetched, but who's to say what's around the corner.
Watch this space.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/su...-1226023853541
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
oh Marto.. marto marto... nows not the time to be unsettling things with you hair brained schemes.. soon you'll be saying that we need Pocock in the centres cause we have too many quality blindsides!
Interesting turnaround from a man who, I'm sure, had a say in the Reds telling rabbit he was too small for professional rugby.
For mine, 10 isn't his best spot yet, but mainly because he can play anywhere and we're shorter at 12. Maybe my suggestion of last week could work with rabbit at 10 and Quade at 12, James certainly seems much more composed than Quade, and looks much more able to handle the full role, he defends the middle of the park solidly, he can play whether his forwards are dominant or not, and is only slightly behind Quade in unpredictability. With Quade outside him, it could be a pretty lethal combination.
Maybe that's one thing that could be tried in one of the warm up tests
C'mon the![]()
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we dont need a turnstile at 12.. its even more crucial defensively than 10!
Yeah agreed, if Cooper plays I think he has to be #10 where Bam et al can take care of him.
The decision then comes down to does Cooper have to play.
I have a sense that in the future (ie post RWC) O'Connor-Barnes may be worth more on balance than Cooper-Giteau.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
It is hard to fit all of Beale, Cooper and O'Connor in the same backline. Pretty good luxury to have.
If Beale weren't there I'd be tempted to try Cooper at 15.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
It was the mungoes who said he was too small.
Yeah. Sauces claim they were also the ones who leaked all those leaks to Wiki Leaks, introduced the GST, caused the current La Nina whilst simultaneously warming the Gulf Stream and were even instrumental in organising a split in the game of Rugby. Bloody Mungos, someone should blow 'em up.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
RWC backline: Genia, JOC, Barnes, ASC, Digby, Drew, Beale
res backs: Burgess, Gits, Sheps
Cummins is working himself into a bench slot there bill.
He can also play wing and centre based upon current indications, piss Gits off and replace him with somebody who'll talk to AAC
C'mon the![]()
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