New-model Campo looks perfect fit
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Mark Ella | September 27, 2008
EARLIER this year I joined my old mate David Campese in Adelaide to help prepare the Australian Sevens team compete in an IRB tournament.
At the time, I didn't know much about an exciting young three-quarter named James O'Connor who came with a huge reputation and was gaining experience in Adelaide by playing with the next generation of rising stars.
One thing I found out straight away about O'Connor was that he wasn't lacking in confidence.
Although he took in every word Campo told him, he still did it his way.
It was like Campese talking to a younger version of himself, because the young kid certainly provided the Australian team with plenty of spark when he took the field and the appreciative Adelaide crowd quickly knew who to follow.
Now the Australian rugby community will be following O'Connor's progress when he makes his maiden tour with the Wallabies to Hong Kong and Europe. O'Connor, who is only 18, may look on the smallish side but he is taller than Matt Giteau, albeit not by much, but is as tough as they come and is a quick learner.
Like a young Campese, O'Connor won't die wondering, but the question is where to play him.
O'Connor is versatile, with the ability to play five-eighth, inside centre and fullback, much like a young Giteau when he made his run-on debut for the Wallabies against England at Twickenham in 2002.
It may not have been an auspicious occasion when Giteau made his debut at five-eighth coming off the bench late in a loss against England at Twickenham.
But in the six years that have followed, Giteau has become the Wallabies' star player. I hope it doesn't take O'Connor as long as it took Giteau to settle into a position he can call his own.
Giteau was a schoolboy halfback and has gone on to play halfback, five-eighth and inside centre for his country.
From memory, I think Jones was also espousing how good Giteau would be at fullback.
With the retirement of Stephen Larkham after last year's World Cup in France, Giteau quickly filled the void at No10 and has played a leading role for the Wallabies this season.
But it took him more than six years of representing Australia to firmly entrench himself in the No10 jersey. O'Connor shouldn't be thrown around the backline like that, because Australian rugby doesn't need versatility, it demands specialists to take the game forward.
Looking through the options for O'Connor at the moment, there doesn't appear to be too many gaps in the backline, particularly when you consider that Giteau and Berrick Barnes seem to have a mortgage of the No10 and No12 jumpers.
I have no doubt that should circumstances arise on tour, O'Connor would admirably fill either of those positions and probably give the incumbents and coach Robbie Deans something to think about.
Looking at the bigger picture, O'Connor is not a halfback or winger, at a push he can probably play outside centre, leaving his only possible real opening at fullback.
Since Chris Latham's injuries and decision to finish his career overseas, the Wallabies have used a number of players over the past two years at fullback.
These include Mark Gerrard, Cameron Shepherd and in recent Test matches Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell. All are accomplished players in their own right, but we are waiting to see who it the heir to Latham's throne. On this tour, there may be an opportunity for O'Connor to get under the guard of these senior players if Deans gives the cocky young star half a chance.
Deans likes having ball-players on the field, particularly the inside halves, but having played five-eighth himself through school and fullback for the All Blacks, he knows the value of having a fullback who can not only inject himself into the backline, but having someone with enough creativity to build continuity out wide.
Leon MacDonald is a perfect example of the type of fullback that comes to mind and it shouldn't surprise anyone that Deans was his coach and mentor. There is no reason to think O'Connor can't give the Wallabies much more control at the back.
This would give the Wallabies greater depth in attack which has been the hallmark of the Crusaders for many years.
Interesting idea
