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JOC (James O'Connor)'s best position for the Wallabies.

Best position for the Wallabies

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    80
  • Poll closed .
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F

FairWeatherAussie

Ted Fahey (11)
I think without injuries JOC (James O'Connor) would be competing with Mitchell for the wing, depending on Mitchell's returning form. Like others have said he seems to excell with the roving commission, and also has partnered quite well with Beale at the back on counter-attack for Australia.

If Mitchell comes back in form I'd say JOC (James O'Connor) is a super-sub. Even then he'd be a regular starter since it is very rare for Australia to have a full strength back line, free from injury.
 
A

AlexH

Guest
Stick him on the bench. That will knock him down a few pegs. Maybe a good serving of humble pie will transform him, god forbid, into a team player.
 
The_Brown_Hornet

The_Brown_Hornet

John Eales (66)
I've got zero problem with players who have a lot of self belief or even that bit of arrogance. What they do need in a sport like rugby though is the ability to bring their team mates into the game. Either that or you put them in a position where selfishness is a virtue (like wing). JOC (James O'Connor) won't be a 10 until he learns to pass like a good 10. Cooper, for all his failings, is a terrific passer of the ball and brings the other players into the game. All of his best moments for the Wallabies have been when he's thrown the perfect ball at the perfect time. JOC (James O'Connor) doesn't yet do that. One position out at 12 gives him much more freedom to play the way he plays at the moment and also gives the five-eighth a chance to use him as a decoy because he is so dangerous in traffic.

Swat's point is well made though, that it will depend a lot on who else is selected. I'm firmly of the believe that you sort out your game plan first and then select the blokes you want to deliver on that, rather than just picking the fifteen most talented guys and tell them to go work it out.
 
Groucho

Groucho

Greg Davis (50)
Paradox said:
I am of course looking forward to inevitable calls for players to be dropped when NZ and/or SA pump us. I don't think the Wallabies have done anything this season to worry NZ / SA. JOC (James O'Connor) could well be called upon to be the savior for Oz at 10. :D
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South Africa haven't done anything recently to worry anyone.

In fact their fans are moaning almost as much as ours are, but with a greater basis in fact. We beat them 3-0 last year. We beat them 2-1 in 2010. We beat them 2-1 in 2009. We beat them 2-1 in 2008. We even drew 1-1 with them in their annus mirabilus, 2007.

They might of course spring like a Phoenix from their unconvincing series win against the Poms, but to elevate them to a whole other level over the Wallabies comes across as opportunistic miserabilism.

They are our Springbunnies.
 
qwerty51

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
They beat us 2-1 in 2009.

But yes, our success over them recently seems to be overlooked lately. It's a fantastic record that has gone under the radar, especially by the Saffers who are always complaining about how poor we are in Super rugby.
 
The_Brown_Hornet

The_Brown_Hornet

John Eales (66)
Quite so. That nice little run of results against the Boks has rather snuck up on everyone. What are we, 6 of our last 7 against them or something?
 
kiap

kiap

Steve Williams (59)
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All time still 9 games behind, but since South Africa's re-admission Australia are 5 games ahead.
 
T

TOCC

Guest
Swat said:
The question should be 'what is JOC (James O'Connor)'s best position?' not his best position "for the Wallabies". If you ask me what his best position is I would say 12, however his best position for the Wallabies is determined by who else you have in the team. If you've got Quade at 10 then having JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 would mean the 10-12 channel would be more of a risk for line breaks than if you had McCabe at 12 but if you had a strong defender like Barnes at 10 then having JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 would be a better option than having McCabe at 12, as long as we have enough cover on the wing.

I know that's a convoluted answer but it's a loaded poll, you are assuming the rest of the team is static.
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Its not a loaded poll, you say there are a few positions that he could play dependant on other player availability and selection, but if you break it down to the basics its simply a question of if you were selecting a Wallaby back line and JOC (James O'Connor) was the first player you had to pick, then what position would you put him in.
 
Groucho

Groucho

Greg Davis (50)
TOCC, on that basis I'd certainly put him at 12. The 10 has plenty of other running options and JOC (James O'Connor) is a true game-breaker in the Horan mold.

And his distribution isn't like some people say. His last-pass game is world class. Every second game he puts up a beautiful soft pass for a runner on his shoulder to score. He just hasn't got a long passing game - yet.
 
Gagger

Gagger

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Staff member
No, I just don't see him as a 10. I don't think he has the Space Vision™ that both QC (Quade Cooper) and KB (Kurtley Beale) (when not drunk) have, and therefore not the pass to go with it. I think that's because his first instinct is always to run.

For me then, I'd vary between selecting him on the wing and at 12, dependent on opposition and/or point in the match. I reckon Patty McCabe softening up the likes of SBW/Nonu is the way to go, before unleashing a bit of dazzling footwork later in the game. I could imagine running him against the Saffas from the off. He'd be good utility cover as well.

So best possie? I'd say 12
 
Viking

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
TOCC said:
Its not a loaded poll, you say there are a few positions that he could play dependant on other player availability and selection, but if you break it down to the basics its simply a question of if you were selecting a Wallaby back line and JOC (James O'Connor) was the first player you had to pick, then what position would you put him in.
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I dont think JOC (James O'Connor) could ever be the first player picked. I think the flyhalf should be picked first in the backline and then the rest (and I dont consider JOC (James O'Connor) an option at 10). So I agree with Swat's post. It is entirely dependant on who else is in the team. For myself he has 2 options; wing or 12. If Barnes is at 10. then my first pick for JOC (James O'Connor) is at 12. If Cooper is at 10 then my first pick JOC (James O'Connor) is wing with a direct/hard running 12.

For this RC id be putting him on the wing as would not like to trial him at 12 vs the ABs or SA. Maybe verse Argentina first.
 
D

dangerousdave

Frank Nicholson (4)
Karl said:
Has he really got the blistering pace for the Wing?
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Watch the last few minutes of the Ireland game last year where he runs down Tommy Bowe. To me, explosiveness and pace is JOC (James O'Connor)'s defining quality. It's what got him into the Wobs at 18.
 
The_Brown_Hornet

The_Brown_Hornet

John Eales (66)
JOC (James O'Connor) has incredible pace over the first 5-10 metres. His acceleration is quite exceptional. That is why he is suited to 12, where the Wobs can take full advantage of his ability to motor through a half gap. It's still very useful on the wing and he's quick enough to play there, but the sustained top end speed of a guy like Turner is arguably better.
 
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