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Western Force rising star may replace Pretorius
JUSTIN CHADWICK
February 6, 2010 - 10:08AM
Force youngster James O'Connor, centre, could replace Andre Pretorius as five-eighth. Photo: Getty Images
Western Force coach John Mitchell has flagged the possibility of playing star back James O’Connor at five-eighth to replace former Springbok Andre Pretorius.
Pretorius' one-year stint as the Force’s international marquee signing was cruelly ended before it even really begun when the 31-year-old ripped his hamstring off the bone at training on Wednesday.
While Mitchell is yet to decide who will replace Pretorius in the No.10 jersey, the coach threw up plenty of options, with O'Connor among the names put forward.
O'Connor started his career at inside centre for the Force but in more recent times has blossomed at fullback in the Wallabies’ set-up.
While it was always thought O’Connor would eventually take over as the Force’s No.1 five-eighth, the 19-year-old may be forced to take on the responsibility sooner than expected following Pretorius’ misfortune and Matt Giteau’s departure.
"We’ve had good versatility in our group," Mitchell said when asked how the team would replace Pretorius.
"If you look at the mix (at five-eighth) there was Andre, Sammy Harris, Mark Bartholomeusz, James O’Connor, you’ve also got Stefano Hunt.
"So we’ve got a number of permutations there within the group and that’s always been the way we’ve built it."
One-Test Wallaby Bartholomeusz impressed at No.10 in the Force’s 31-12 trial win over the Reds last night to show he is a viable option for the role.
Pretorius has already signed a multi-year deal to play in Japan after the season concludes, meaning he will never play a Super 14 game for the Force.
"We were really gutted for him," Mitchell said.
"It’s really hard for a player to experience what he’s going through. He’s taking it pretty hard but we’ve got to move on.
"There’s going to be more hurdles as the competition moves on, it’s just a pretty tough one we’ve got to get over right now."
Meanwhile, Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said his team’s big loss to the Force was a mere hiccup ahead of next Saturday’s season opener against NSW in Brisbane.
Queensland were never in the game after the Force raced out to a 20-0 lead inside 20 minutes.
"Both teams have one eye on next week so the analysis that went into this game was limited," McKenzie said.
"I think we learned today that if we kick the ball away and give away silly penalties it’s hard work.
"There’s a couple of lessons there but nothing mind shattering, it’s pretty much the basics of the game that we didn’t get right."
Reds five-eighth Quade Cooper put in a solid performance in his first match since being charged with burglary last year.
He set up Queensland’s first try of the match in the 29th minute with a surging run and perfectly-weighted grubber kick, which winger Rod Davies pounced on.
But it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback as the Force’s dominant forward pack and clinical backline ensured the visitors endured a miserable night.
AAP
http://www.watoday.com.au/rugby-unio...0206-njay.html
If mitchell was serious at playing O'Connor at 10,he would have given him game time there last night
surely?
Alternate Headline:
"Sam Harris, Mark Bartholomeusz, James O’Connor or Stefano Hunt may replace Pretorius."
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
And what the HELL!!!! is JO'C up to in that photo?!?!?!
Perhaps one of the older fellas need to sit him down now that the Committee have left and "re-orientate" him![]()
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
It would be a shame if Rabbit had to play 10 because it would take away the premium the Force would get from his playing in positions where his elusive capabilities have more value.
His favourite position is 12 which is far enough away from the ruck and scrum but where he would still get a lot of ball to wriggle away with. Next best would be at 15 to take advantage of open play if the good Shepherd is injured. Oz needs him to get a bit of game time there. Was good to see Shep back last night.
I've mentioned Rob Coleman from the Brumby Runners before but another possibility to back up Bartho until there is a permanent replacement is Tim Walsh. He was a Reds flyhalf in that year the Reds no.10s were falling like flies - and he succumbed himself.
He's been playing for Randwick for a couple of years and looking good in crunch games against top Sydney sides. Right now he is up with the Reds Wider Training Group - being asked there because the Reds weren't sure if Quade Cooper would be allowed to play.
He came on in the Reds trial against the Tahs and he lifted the backline and was responsible for getting the Reds home.
The Force could do worse.
---------- Post added at 16:28 ---------- Previous post was at 16:25 ----------
PS I heard that Stephano Hunt was playing for Sunnybank Colts in 2009.
The random left field option for the day - Sheehan. I believe that he has played some 10 for the rats (no idea on how he went). That way, O'young and Swanepoel would be the 2 halfbacks with Justin turner as additional cover from the academy.
PPS - Wasn't there some talk in JOCs contract that he could pull the pin if the Force didn't have an international class flyhalf playing inside him?
What I heard may be BS and surely he wouldn't let the team down for this season. But if it is not BS he could leave after 2010.
I think that was more to do with getting his signature rather than keeping it Lee, although at this stage of the "season" that could be seen as splitting hairs.
The point being that goodwill was shown by his employer in pursuing that "condition", they can't bomb proof every player.
I can't see him going anywhere at this stage, except maybe Melbourne, as he has senior players ahead of him elsewhere.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
oxleymoron
The Rats is my team in Sydney and I haven't seen Sheehan play 10 for them - or I can't remember. He certainly didn't run on as a flyhalf in 2009 and if Harris was injured young Kennedy would play from 2nd grade, or even Josh Holmes from 12.
Maybe you are thinking of Valentine - he has played flyhalf in Sydney.
Why not just run a left-right setup with Bart & O'Connor rotating between 10 and 12?
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
this photo is definetly suss, why is he smiling so much?