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O'Connor set to become second youngest Wallaby
- Tim Clarke
- November 6, 2008 - 3:38PM
James O'Connor.
Western Force wunderkind James O'Connor is on track to become the second youngest Wallaby in the history of Australian Rugby Union, after being named on the bench to take on Italy in this weekend's Test in Padova.
Following in the footsteps of Western Force colleague David Pocock, who last weekend became the 829th Wallaby when he made a late substitute appearance against New Zealand, O'Connor is one of several changes made by Robbie Deans for the first leg of Australia's European tour.
At 18 years and 126 days, O'Connor would become the second youngest player ever to play for Australia if he takes the field on Saturday.
The youngest ever Wallaby was Queensland winger Brian Ford, who was 18 years and 90 days when he appeared against New Zealand at Brisbane in 1957.
The return of Timana Tahu at inside centre - one of eight personnel changes by Deans - will see him feature for the Wallabies since making his run on debut against South Africa at Johannesburg in August.
He has been paired in the midfield alongside tour skipper Stirling Mortlock, who returns to centre after appearing at inside centre against the All Blacks in Hong Kong last week.
The selection of wingers Lachie Turner and Digby Ioane are among the other changes to the formation from last week, with Berrick Barnes also appearing for the first time in 2008 at flyhalf. He had previously played all of his internationals for the season from inside centre.
Barnes made a successful return after an injury enforced layoff in the second half against the All Blacks last week.
Rising Force star Richard Brown, lock Mark Chisholm, hooker Stephen Moore and utility Dean Mumm are the only players to retain their starting positions from last week among the forwards.
Phil Waugh starts on the openside flank in place of George Smith, props Matt Dunning and Ben Alexander come in for Al Baxter and Benn Robinson respectively, while a change in the second row sees Hugh McMeniman make his return from an ankle injury in the place of Nathan Sharpe.
The make up of the bench sees regular flyhalf Matt Giteau selected to cover halfback, the position he predominantly occupied for the Wallabies last year.
No 8 Wycliff Palu returns from injury, after straining the medial ligament of his knee in the Tri-Nations decider against the All Blacks at Brisbane in early September, while first-time tourists: prop Sekope Kepu, flyhalf Quade Cooper have been selected alongside O'Connor.
Deans said his side was not underestimating the Italians, indicating that the changes reflected both a desire to manage resources, as well as injecting fresh enthusiasm.
"We've got a demanding schedule ahead of us on this tour so sharing the work load is essential. We selected the touring party with that in mind," Deans says.
"It's not a case of under-estimating the Italians - they will present arguably the strongest forward pack we face on this trip, but the guys we have selected have worked hard, and we're confident they can do the job."
Deans says the Wallabies are not dwelling on last weekend's narrow loss to the All Blacks in Hong Kong.
"We've taken what value we can out of that experience and moved on," he says.
The Wallabies arrived in northern Italy on Sunday night after an arduous 24-hour journey from Hong Kong, via London.
Wallabies team to play Italy: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Timana Tahu, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, Phil Waugh, Dean Mumm, Hugh McMeniman, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Matt Giteau, Quade Cooper, James O'Connor
http://www.watoday.com.au:80/sport/o...1106-5j7r.html
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Originally Posted by mudskipper
get out there and show 'em
I just hope they have earned, like Robbie said. I don't want him going back on his word...
Courtesy of quality South African commentry
