Flair go: O'Connor comes in off wing at last
Josh Rakic
November 8, 2011
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Big time … three new bloods, from left, Dave Dennis, Ben Tapuai and Ben Lucas, have been called up to join the Wallabies team touring Europe. Photo: Quentin Jones
IT HAS taken World Cup defeat and an injury to star playmaker Quade Cooper to make it happen, but Robbie Deans has given the green light for livewire flyer James O'Connor to come into the midfield.
At yesterday's announcement of the 26-man Wallabies squad to tour Europe this month, the coach made two of the most exciting statements in Australian rugby by revealing O'Connor's likely involvement at the No.12 spot and Reds young gun Ben Tapuai as his cover.
The move signals a possible change in attitude from Deans before next year's heavy international schedule, the coach leaving the door open for footwork and flair at outside-centre rather than brute strength and impenetrable defence.
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While Rob Horne and Anthony Fainga'a retain their positions in the squad, Deans said aspects of the Wallabies' game were due for an overhaul, and he was excited at the prospect of what O'Connor and Tapuai, among others, had to offer.
''He's got very good footwork, so he captures the interest of the defence,'' Deans said of O'Connor, who spent time in the midfield for the Western Force in Super Rugby last season.
''They can't ignore him and slide off and capture others because he'll take advantage of that. And I guess he's been using his feet predominantly as a winger. What he's got to add to that is the team skills of working for others and recognising when to go and when to carry, when to pass and when to kick - and how.
''It's a totally different paradigm of thought. So while he's excited and willing, there's a lot he's got to learn in terms of getting it done. There's no doubt he'll finish up in that area, and he might get an opportunity in the short run.''
After a stellar World Cup following career-threatening head injuries this year, Berrick Barnes looks set to wear the No.10 jersey for the December 3 Test against Wales at Millennium Stadium.
As for the Barbarians match a week earlier, Deans said he was willing to experiment with both O'Connor and Super Rugby premiership player Tapuai at his disposal.
''Berrick is already there, and that's a role he's familiar with, James not so much at this level,'' Deans said. ''We don't have a lot of time obviously, so we don't have time to reinvent the wheel. And with a few blokes entering we can't be too ambitious in what we're trying to achieve in a very short space of time. So we have to go back to some extent to what's already established, but that doesn't limit us in any way. It's a matter of which piece we use.''
Tapuai was on standby to replace either Rob Horne or Pat McCabe when they were injury doubts during the World Cup, and Deans suggested Tapuai could be a long-term prospect at inside-centre for the rebuilding Wallabies.
''He showed in that Barbarians game that he's perfectly capable of [playing at international level],'' Deans said of Tapuai, who played outside Barnes in that match against Canada in August.
''That's the first indication where we've had an opportunity to see him beyond Super Rugby. Through the course of Super Rugby he established himself as a starter for the Reds and then he showed in that outing that he's more than capable of pushing on to the next level as well.
''We'd like to see him in-game. His background is predominantly inside-centre. He's capable of playing both [centres] but probably in terms of entering him at this level, that's where we'd look to get him started.''
Born in Brisbane but of Samoan heritage, Tapuai's performance for the Barbarians was nothing short of impressive for a 22-year-old debutant. Off-contract with the Reds at the end of next season, the product of the Southport School, in Queensland, has plenty to play for. ''He's got great rugby instinct. He's a genuine, natural rugby player,'' Deans said.
''He runs good lines, he's direct, he squares up the attack. He can offload, he's got good instincts in terms of support lines, so he often looms in support of breaches, and that's a skill that's often underestimated or overlooked. But it's that off-the-ball work that can be the point of difference sometimes. He's capable of being physical as well.
''It's an area we didn't have a lot in not so long ago. On the back of this tour and looking ahead to next year, there's going to be some genuine competition [in the midfield].''
Wallabies squad: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Pekahou Cowan, Dave Dennis, Anthony Fainga'a, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Rob Horne, James Horwill (capt), Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Salesi Ma’afu, Ben McCalman, Stephen Moore, James O’Connor, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota Nau, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Ben Tapuai, Lachie Turne
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ing-at-last-20111107-1n3v2.html#ixzz1dEoax2TY
