James O'Connor's kicking style causes confusion among Barbarian halfback Peter String
Jamie Pandaram Herald Sun November 27, 2011 1:15pm
JAMES OConnor plans to talk to referees about his goal-kicking style following a bizarre charge-down incident against the Barbarians.
As O’Connor attempted to convert Lachie Turner’s try on the stroke of half-time, Barbarians halfback Peter Stringer raced through and picked up the ball after referee Romain Poite ruled O’Connor had moved to kick.
A flummoxed O’Connor could only laugh as Stringer ran to the sheds with the ball while he was still poised in his run-up position.
“Going forward we’ll probably [talk to referees] because it has happened to me before in Ireland,” O’Connor said.
Defenders are allowed to race off their line for attempted charge-downs as soon as the conversion kicker moves his foot off the ground in their run-up. O’Connor uses an odd up and down motion with his foot to steady himself, and that can create confusion in referees’ minds as to when he has started his run-up.
The five-eighth did adjust his start-up routine – described by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans as a “nervous twitch” - in the second half to record a perfect night with the boot with all kicked attempts.
“I do it all the time, my little up and down [with my foot] to get my centre posture, if my feet come off the ground that is considered a start … I’ll have a look at the replay, if that’s the case then it is a fair call,” O’Connor said.
“If your feet stay on the ground you’re sweet … I fixed it in the second half anyway.
“I don’t see it as a massive issue, I’ll tweak it in the off season.”