Dave Rennie confirms positional switch on cards for James O'Connor
It won’t happen this week but the door is open for James O’Connor to rejoin Australian rugby’s fellow prodigal son Quade Cooper back in the Wallabies’ starting XV.
In a scenario unimaginable just a few weeks ago, and certainly in the preceding years before that when Cooper and O’Connor couldn’t even find a Super Rugby club, the two exciting former prodigies may be reunited for the Wallabies as soon as this month.
Dave Rennie on Thursday resisted calls from test great Chris Latham to pair Cooper and O’Connor in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Brisbane.
But the Wallabies coach isn’t ruling out the prospect of a fit-again O’Connor returning to the fold at fullback against Argentina on Saturday week following Cooper’s stirring and match-winning comeback against the Springboks last weekend.
Rennie said O’Connor had even been in contention to start at five-eighth this week after overcoming a groin injury before selectors opted to reward the heroes of Sunday’s 28-26 win over the world champion Springboks on the Gold Coast.
There was no bigger hero than Cooper, who slotted eight from eight with the boot, including the clutch long-range winner after the siren at Cbus Super Stadium.
But Rennie is making no secret of his desire to squeeze both ex-outcasts into Australia’s 23-man squad, if not the run-on side.
“This is the best I’ve seen James,” said Rennie, admitting the Queensland Red was now being considered as a fullback and not just a playmaker.
“Even through Super Rugby, he never did a lot of high-speed metres. We want him to be a genuine threat at 10 if space opens up that he can attack.
“He ended up injuring a groin in preparation for the French tests (but) he’s worked extremely hard. He looks really sharp. We’re keen to get some footy into him.
"The Wallabies were far more patient in terms of their tactical approach and found a better blend."
– Former Springbok scrumhalf Neil de Kock breaks down the loss to Australia. https://t.co/ts3qMz5tG5— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 16, 2021
“He’d be a strong contender for next week. We feel we could definitely play both those guys in the same 23. It certainly brings a lot of experience.
“James, like Quade, has a lot of test footy under his belt. He was really impressive in our environment. He’s a cool head and you see the influence he has on the Reds. To have someone like James come back in the fold for us would be gold.”
Rennie was asked specifically if that meant fullback Tom Banks, who has endured an indifferent season starting in the No 15 jumper in all seven tests so far in 2021, was under pressure.
“Look, James has got himself into really good nick,” Rennie said.
“We would definitely not have played him at fullback a couple of months ago and prior to that because, from a high-speed running perspective, he just hasn’t had any decent numbers for the last couple of years.
“But he’s worked really hard over that last period and it’s the sharpest I’ve seen him.
“So he’s definitely back into a physical shape where we think we could use him as utility as opposed as just a 10.”
Banks knows he needs to deliver to retain his spot.
“It’s always going to happen. You’re in a Wallabies environment, everyone is competing for positions,” he said on Thursday.
“It is what it is but James is a fantastic player. He’s shown what he can do in Super Rugby so, as always, it’s going to be a competition for spots.
“You’ve just got to keep performing.”
– Darren Walton
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments