James O'Connor can show his physical game against Sonny Bill Williams

[KenyaQuin]

Bret Harris The Australian April 29, 2011

WALLABIES wonder boy James O'Connor will receive a splendid opportunity to press his claims for the Test inside centre position when he opposes Sonny Bill Williams in Western Force's Super Rugby match with the Crusaders in Perth tomorrow night.

O'Connor has played fullback and wing for the Wallabies since making his Test debut against Italy in 2008. But Force coach Richard Graham moved O'Connor up to the front line this season and it is understood Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is also considering him as a potential No 12.

There is no doubting O'Connor's skill as a Test inside centre and he will now have a chance to show he has the physicality for the role. Williams is the most powerful No 12 in Super Rugby and if O'Connor can handle him, he can handle anyone.

It is understood the Force has upped its offer to O'Connor, who is being chased by the Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds. Hope it's an offer he can't resist..

Will be a big game for a whole lot of players looking for Wallaby spots..can't wait..

[zed]

Bret Harris The Australian April 29, 2011

WALLABIES wonder boy James O'Connor will receive a splendid opportunity to press his claims for the Test inside centre position when he opposes Sonny Bill Williams in Western Force's Super Rugby match with the Crusaders in Perth tomorrow night.

O'Connor has played fullback and wing for the Wallabies since making his Test debut against Italy in 2008. But Force coach Richard Graham moved O'Connor up to the front line this season and it is understood Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is also considering him as a potential No 12.

There is no doubting O'Connor's skill as a Test inside centre and he will now have a chance to show he has the physicality for the role. Williams is the most powerful No 12 in Super Rugby and if O'Connor can handle him, he can handle anyone.

It is understood the Force has upped its offer to O'Connor, who is being chased by the Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds. Hope it's an offer he can't resist..

Will be a big game for a whole lot of players looking for Wallaby spots..can't wait..

SBs strength is his offload, it's one thing to tackle a big like SB, it's another thing to prevent the offload - nigh on impossible, especially if you're a runt like JOC!

[Hansie]

Force backrow needs to make every SBW offload a hospital pass - target the runners and then pilfer.

[beige]

The only thing I can offer is that he can apparently only offload with his right hand. Now if anyone can actually do anything with that information good luck to them

[Burgs]

Yeah, unfortunately that one handed offload can go through 180 degrees

[James]

Tackle him super low. Knees or lower. That way if he does offload its going to hurt when he hits the ground. Easier said than done though.

[Bronski Beat]

SBW is a problem, I mean how do you shut him down? I think JOC should consider concealing a small handgun in his socks and maybe pop a cap in his ass whilst copping it without vass? Just thoughts.
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[BDAVEY]

pressure all nite he is only good in space.... hes thick as two planks and cant handle the niggling and pressure.... he miss's the odd tackle too

[Bronski Beat]

pressure all nite he is only good in space.... hes thick as two planks and cant handle the niggling and pressure.... he miss's the odd tackle too

True. The problem is how do you prevent him having space? I still think JOC's best option is to gun him down.
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[Burgs]

Lump of 4"x2" as they run out the tunnel might do it...

[SleazyWineBaas]

Mortlock showed how to stop him in the wallabies V silly buggas played 2 years back

You run into him like a steam train a couple of times and smash him

$BW still has nightmares about Mortlock. He belted him. Result...no offloads, no breaks and a whole lot a nuffin

[shasta]

$BW still has nightmares about Mortlock. He belted him. Result...no offloads, no breaks and a whole lot a nuffin

That was SBW the mungo with a few hours of Rugby under his belt. This is the new version who has done an apprenticeship under Johnny Wilkinson and the Canterbury machine. Vastly different prospect.

[The Lone Hydrangea]

For a, supposedly superstar, he makes plenty of blues. When things are going forward he looks a million bucks. but when it starts coming backwards, he looks ordinary at best.He aint no Jona Lomu or the proverbial son.

[shasta]

Doesn't matter anyway. JOC has defended 15kg heavier than he weighs since he got here and Saturday will be no different. What he lacks in size he makes up in guts and technique. Dellit looks a good partner for him too.

[SleazyWineBaas]

That was SBW the mungo with a few hours of Rugby under his belt. This is the new version who has done an apprenticeship under Johnny Wilkinson and the Canterbury machine. Vastly different prospect.

Mungo lover

Belt the b@stard. That'll stop him