James O'Connor Happy to Play at Flyhalf

[Darren]

Wallaby superteen James O'Connor says he would be happy to step into the Force's flyhalf breach as the club deals with a growing injury crisis.
Coach John Mitchell and the club hierarchy have begun an international search to replace Andre Pretorius, Mark Bartholomeusz, Richard Brown and Cameron Shepherd all suffering long-term injuries.

With the Hurricanes in Wellington to come this week, the Force must first decide who their playmaker will be, after third choice Sam Harris had a nightmare debut against the Brumbies.

The obvious choice is O'Connor, 19, who - despite his age - had a history of playing flyhalf before he joined the Force after high school.

The second youngest Wallaby in history says he would be happy to take on the role.

"I am happy to play wherever, so if the guys want me to play at 10 I will play at 10 – whatever is best for the team," O'Connor said.

"I played a fair bit of 10 at school and changed positions when I came to Force – so there is a little bit of background there.

"The big thing for me is that I like to get my hands on the ball as much as possible. If I play at 10 I guess I will be able to control the game a little bit more."

O'Connor was the bright spark from the opening round loss to the Brumbies and said he was pleased with his game, but not the amount of ball he received, another hint flyhalf may be his destination.

"I did not really touch the ball too much, I got a few kicks and I was happy with my technique. I have been doing a fair bit of work," O'Connor said.

"I am enjoying full back. I am getting a bit more space and enjoying those little touches out wide.

"You learn so much from different positions – 12 is more defensive, 10 you control the game more, at 15 you get more space to attack.

"Each little thing I take a different aspect of the position."

But injuries still present the major issue at the Force.

Brown could learn today the prognosis of his injured shoulder, while Shepherd is out for six weeks with a serious thigh strain.

O'Connor says the Force have the depth to deal with their early injury crisis.

"It is pretty devastating for Cam and it has been tough for him, he has done all the rehab for his ankle to great and he was in awesome condition," O'Connor said.

"Our squad has got a fair bit of depth, so I am confident the boys outside the squads would do a good job.

"We have got Dane Haylett-Petty, Haig Sare and Nick Cummins is back running around.

"We took a lot of out the (Brumbies) game, and the game plan against the Hurricanes will be good."

http://www.watoday.com.au/rugby-unio...0216-o5t2.html

[shasta]

"Don't Panic, Captain Mainwaring. Don't panic."

"Now that's the kind of fighting talk I like to hear, Jones."

[.X.]

Shasta, forgive me but wasnt it Mannering?

[MI5_Dog]

In some parts that's how they pronounce Mainwaring.

[blueandblack]

Shasta, forgive me but wasnt it Mannering?

"Mainwaring"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062552/

[Badger]

Shasta, forgive me but wasnt it Mannering?

you stupid boy

[shasta]

---------- Post added at 18:15 ---------- Previous post was at 18:13 ----------

In some parts that's how they pronounce Mainwaring.

But not around the parts where Captain Square grew up.