Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent | June 18, 2009


THE pressure on James O'Connor continues to grow, with the Wallabies teenage fullback handed the goalkicking duties for the second Test against Italy in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has no qualms about giving the 18-year-old the extra responsibility, especially with regular kicker Matt Giteau on the bench and Stirling Mortlock being rested.

O'Connor, at 18 years and 126 days, last year became the second youngest Wallaby to play in a Test and has since continued to impress the team management not just with his skills, but with his supreme confidence. The youngster, who scored three tries in his starting debut, against Italy in Canberra last weekend, is willing to take on any task.

O'Connor convinced Wallabies coach Robbie Deans he was a reliable goalkicker during one of the final training sessions on last year's end-of-season Wallabies tour of Hong Kong and Europe.

For the final tour match, against the Barbarians, Deans decided on a kick-off at a London training session between O'Connor, Quade Cooper and Brett Sheehan for kicking duties at Wembley Stadium.

O'Connor won and went on to kick all three of his shots at goal - a conversion and two penalties - during the Wallabies' 18-11 win.

The Wallabies have also been working hard this week on ensuring their inexperienced props will be ready for the Italian challenge. This is a danger area for the Wallabies because loose-head Pek Cowan is playing in his first Test, while tight-head Ben Alexander is more attuned to the other side of the scrum.

But Wallabies assistant coach Richard Graham said both were ready to keep the formidable Italy scrum at bay.

"Ben and Pek's form during the Super 14 warrants their selection," Graham said yesterday. "Ben has been playing tight-head the last couple of weeks at training, as well as with his club. We certainly think he will handle that role this weekend. And we're expecting a level of intensity from Pek."

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