Wallabies Watch

[No.8]

I am still yet to see what all the hype is about regarding JOC (James O'Connor) to be honest...

And at the end of the day the Wallabies need to start putting players on the field in their specialised positions - not chop and change every week...then they wonder why they have failed in the last 3-4 years and have not out-played and dominated a side in prob 2 years...

 

[barbarian]

I am still yet to see what all the hype is about regarding JOC (James O'Connor) to be honest.

Ah, he scored a try in the last minute then kicked a conversion from the sideline to beat the All Blacks?

He was easily our best player at the 2011 RWC. He has played 30-odd tests and he is only 22?

Am I crazy or something?
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[Scoey]

And at the end of the day the Wallabies need to start putting players on the field in their specialised positions - not chop and change every week.

This.

Which is why I've always maintained that JOC (James O'Connor)'s best position is on the bench covering 10-15. He (or his coaches) have a habit of placing him in almost any position in the back line. He has also made no secret of his ambition to play 10, which most would argue that is the position that he is least suited to. Although in saying that, he has been making a fist of the 15 jersey of late and could make it his own if he is content to stay there. Which will make his selection this weekend all the more curious.

 

[barbarian]

This.

Which is why I've always maintained that JOC (James O'Connor)'s best position is on the bench covering 10-15. He (or his coaches) have a habit of placing him in almost any position in the back line. He has also made no secret of his ambition to play 10, which most would argue that is the position that he is least suited to. Although in saying that, he has been making a fist of the 15 jersey of late and could make it his own if he is content to stay there. Which will make his selection this weekend all the more curious.

The reason why he keeps getting shifted is because he is so fucking good that he can play anywhere. And his shifting was more to do with the injuries and inadequacies of others than his own play.

And putting him on the bench is just madness. When fit he is one of the top 2 or 3 players we have. The 2011 RWC and subsequent EOYT showed this clearly.
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[Pete King]

This.

Which is why I've always maintained that JOC (James O'Connor)'s best position is on the bench covering 10-15. He (or his coaches) have a habit of placing him in almost any position in the back line. He has also made no secret of his ambition to play 10, which most would argue that is the position that he is least suited to. Although in saying that, he has been making a fist of the 15 jersey of late and could make it his own if he is content to stay there. Which will make his selection this weekend all the more curious.

His best position by far is on the wing, with the freedom to roam. This is undoubtably where he has played his best test football

 

[No.8]

The reason why he keeps getting shifted is because he is so fucking good that he can play anywhere. And his shifting was more to do with the injuries and inadequacies of others than his own play.

And putting him on the bench is just madness. When fit he is one of the top 2 or 3 players we have. The 2011 RWC and subsequent EOYT showed this clearly.
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Yes your spot on - he is good to player any position - but not great - and because he gets moved around so much (much like other Aus players) means they will never become Wallaby greats...

I feel he would be best suited on the bench as an impact wing/fullback.

Just because he scored a match winning try/goal doesnt make him a great player, just because he has played 30 tests at 22 doesnt make him great (this came mainly due to Wallabies lack of depth) and to say he was the best player in the 2011 WC...mmm not sure about that.

Lets look at this as a bigger picture...what the Wallabies are doing at the moment isnt working and hasnt for a few years....

 

[Dumbledore]

I am still yet to see what all the hype is about regarding JOC (James O'Connor) to be honest.

I stopped reading there.

 

[Slim 293]

I would be looking at maybe returning JOC (James O'Connor) at 15 for the Wallabies if Beale isn't looking good (injuries, form, etc not looking great right now).........

JOC (James O'Connor) is an excellent player, and his goal kicking will be essential......

His problem is that he's not really the best player in any position while at the same time being one of our best players..........

Currently we have a lot of excellent wingers - Digby, Speight, Tomane, Cummins, Mitchell, Mogg (for test purposes) etc while being light at fullback so it's a possible solution, and he is playing at fullback for the Rebels currently........

 

[No.8]

The only possible positions he can play is 15 or wing...

The proof will be in the pudding this year - the Wallabies really need to take the Lions tour, Rugby Championship, bledisloe cup and have a dominate end of year tour to really show that they are on the right track...I think anything less than this would have to been seen as a failure to the ARU - you would hope if they didnt win the Lions tour Deans would be out straight away...

When they start winning with their current players/Structure then I will believe in the hype with these players...

 

[Dumbledore]

The only possible positions he can play is 15 or wing.

Seriously, you should just stop. He came onto the scene playing 12 for the Force, and did enough to get selected as the second youngest Wallaby ever. He played flyhalf for the Wallabies on the EOYT two seasons ago and performed so well that more than a year later he has fans and commentators suggesting he should be moved back there - for both the Rebels and the Wallabies. The only backline positions he hasn't excelled at, at one time or another, are scrumhalf and outside centre and that's because he's literally never played in those positions.

 

[No4918]

Beale has not played 15 for a long time and JOC (James O'Connor) is looking good. Going to be tough for Beale missing the next month to make a big case for 10 also. Add in Genia, Barnes and McCabe just getting back from injury it's not looking great for the backs. Genia is good enough that he has to be 9 if fit but McCabe and Beale may be on the bench for the first lions test. Unfortunately no one is demanding selection in the second wing position so it may be JOC (James O'Connor) will play there and Beale 15.

 

[No.8]

Seriously, you should just stop. He came onto the scene playing 12 for the Force, and did enough to get selected as the second youngest Wallaby ever. He played flyhalf for the Wallabies on the EOYT two seasons ago and performed so well that more than a year later he has fans and commentators suggesting he should be moved back there - for both the Rebels and the Wallabies. The only backline positions he hasn't excelled at, at one time or another, are scrumhalf and outside centre and that's because he's literally never played in those positions.

I am saying in the current side you would think the only positions they would look at selecting him in is full-back or wing....

I cant see him being the no.10 for wallabies full-time nor being in the centres.

Yes he can play those positions but I doubt he will be selected in them...

 

[No.8]

You would think that if Mogg keeps going how is he going - they would select Mogg as no.1 fullback with JOC (James O'Connor) being selected as a cover for full-back or wing on the bench.

 

[No4918]

You would think that if Mogg keeps going how is he going - they would select Mogg as no.1 fullback with JOC (James O'Connor) being selected as a cover for full-back or wing on the bench.

If Mogg is 15 JOC (James O'Connor) will be 14. He will be in the XV and rightfully so.

 

[Richo]

Seriously, you should just stop. He came onto the scene playing 12 for the Force, and did enough to get selected as the second youngest Wallaby ever. He played flyhalf for the Wallabies on the EOYT two seasons ago and performed so well that more than a year later he has fans and commentators suggesting he should be moved back there - for both the Rebels and the Wallabies. The only backline positions he hasn't excelled at, at one time or another, are scrumhalf and outside centre and that's because he's literally never played in those positions.

And a lot of people think he should get a run at 13!

JOC (James O'Connor) is rapidly becoming a very complete player. He's an increasingly strong defender, as evidenced by his play at the RWC. He's an excellent goal kicker, dynamic with the ball, dangerous on counter-attack. If he has a weakness, it might be a tendency to take it himself rather than pass first, but I thought he was excellent at first receiver on Friday and was great on the 2011 EOYT as well. Of the 3 Amigos, he has the fewest weaknesses in his game and is the most consistent. When Cooper dazzles, he truly dazzles but his tackling is still mediocre and he can disappear for long stretches. Beale is inconsistent in form and fitness. JOC (James O'Connor), aside from injuries (versus Beale's straight-up weight/speed issues), is very reliable.

I'd like to see him play at 10 with Beale out. He could press for Wallaby selection there and, if not, 15 is there for the taking.

 

[No.8]

If Mogg is 15 JOC (James O'Connor) will be 14. He will be in the XV and rightfully so.

You would think that would be the case if there is no other 14 to select that hasnt been in great form.

 

[Dumbledore]

Mogg's defence is sketchy at best. He isn't ready to play Test rugby just yet. He started last season with a bang as well, then faded and got progressively more flaky as the season went on. The only way he gets into the Wallabies at the moment is as a winger or on the bench as outside back cover.

JOC (James O'Connor) could most definitely play 10 or 12 for the Wallabies. Who are the other options? At 10 you're looking at Quade who doesn't like wearing yellow or tackling, Lilo who isn't playing 10 and is uncapped, Barnes who is Barnes or Beale who is broken and fat. I agree he's less likely to play 12, but it's only really Taps and McCabe in front of him, arguably Barnes as well.

Would love to see a backline of

Lilo
Digby
JOC (James O'Connor)
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Tomane/Speight/Cummins/Whoever
Beale

 

[No.8]

And a lot of people think he should get a run at 13!

JOC (James O'Connor) is rapidly becoming a very complete player. He's an increasingly strong defender, as evidenced by his play at the RWC. He's an excellent goal kicker, dynamic with the ball, dangerous on counter-attack. If he has a weakness, it might be a tendency to take it himself rather than pass first, but I thought he was excellent at first receiver on Friday and was great on the 2011 EOYT as well. Of the 3 Amigos, he has the fewest weaknesses in his game and is the most consistent. When Cooper dazzles, he truly dazzles but his tackling is still mediocre and he can disappear for long stretches. Beale is inconsistent in form and fitness. JOC (James O'Connor), aside from injuries (versus Beale's straight-up weight/speed issues), is very reliable.

I'd like to see him play at 10 with Beale out. He could press for Wallaby selection there and, if not, 15 is there for the taking.

I would also like to see him at 10 when Beale is gone and I am guessing they will play him there? Maybe he will kick Beale out lol

 

[Richo]

Does anyone seriously think that Mogg will get picked to start at 15 for the Lions series? Even if he's the form Super Rugby 15, he will be passed over for someone with significant test experience. I'm guessing the all-fit-and-firing pecking order for 15 goes: Beale, JOC (James O'Connor), Barnes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Mogg. And Schmoo might be above Mogg too.

Not saying Mogg isn't a great player -- he's clearly got speed and talent. But he needs to match that with better defense, and get some test experience off the bench. I'd expect him to be in the squad and maybe even the 23 if there are some injuries, but not starting.

 

[Dumbledore]

I'd like to see him play at 10 with Beale out. He could press for Wallaby selection there and, if not, 15 is there for the taking.

Agree with your entire post, but just on this quickly. I'd like to see Angus Roberts play 10 for the Rebels, have Woodward (who I think will be back this week) at 15 and then have JOC (James O'Connor) come in at 12.

Regardless, barring injury, JOC (James O'Connor) will be in the Wallabies XV. It's not a question of if, it's a question of where.