Tahs won't target slippery O'Connor

[travelling_gerry]

Tahs won't target slippery O'Connor

AAP, AAP March 19, 2010, 1:57 pm

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NSW flanker Dave Dennis believes it will be counter-productive for the Waratahs to target Force young gun James O'Connor in Saturday night's Super 14 derby in Perth.
O'Connor has been a shining light for the winless Force this season, starring at fullback, inside centre and five-eighth in the franchise's injury-hit campaign.
The 19-year-old will wear the No.12 jersey against the Tahs but Dennis said it would upset NSW's focus if they placed too much attention on the 84kg Wallaby.
"He's a quality player and he's played at Test level so it (physically targeting him) is probably not the best approach in terms of nullifying him," Dennis said.
"You've just got to be conscious of what he's capable of doing and if anything his size probably benefits him in terms of he can get through holes easier and get inside blokes.
"James O'Connor has probably been the only guy who's been holding his own regardless of results.
"He's playing well and attacking the line well so he's going to cause trouble in midfield.
"Obviously if you get the chance, like any of their players, we'll probably want to put a good shot on him but we'll just be trying to get a good line and make sure there's no opportunities in defence."
Force skipper Nathan Sharpe said his team was looking for redemption following last week's embarrassing 50-10 loss to Queensland.
"I think the biggest pressure for us is coming from ourselves," Sharpe said.
"The more hard work you put in the more you are after results.
"We want to redeem ourselves from last week's performance.
"If we win, that will be redemption enough."
Dennis predicted a far stronger showing from the Force, who have named an unchanged starting line-up despite last week's hammering.
"We are definitely not underestimating their capabilities and although they had a pretty tough day against the Reds we aren't going in complacent," he said.
"We know they're up for a big one.
"They'll string some wins together, it's just a matter of when, so we've got to be on our toes.
"It's an Australian derby so it has that little bit of extra significance, so they'll be up for it."
NSW were dealt a double blow on the eve of the match when prop Al Baxter (calf) and No.8 Wycliff Palu (hamstring) were ruled out through injury.
Sekope Kepu replaces Baxter in the run-on side while Ben Mowen will start at No.8.
Adding extra spice to the match will be the presence of former Force winger Drew Mitchell, a four-try hero in the Waratahs' 73-12 win over the Lions last week.
NSW (3-2) sit seventh on the table and will be desperate to post a win, and possibly a bonus point, against the last-placed Force in order to stay in touch with the top four.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ppery-oconnor/

[travelling_gerry]

Tahs to target O'Connor defence

* By Iain Payten in Perth
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* March 20, 2010 12:00AM



WESTERN Force assistant coach Richard Graham has backed the defence of teenage star James O'Connor but that won't stop the Waratahs embarking on some "Rabbit" hunting when they clash tonight in Perth.

O'Connor, 19, has proved himself as a top-shelf attacker at both Super 14 and Test level but is being targeted as a potential defensive liability for the Force after being shifted from fullback to the front line this season.

Having shifted from five-eighth to inside centre last weekend, Queensland ran plenty of traffic at O'Connor and new No. 10 David Hill and it reaped dividends in the 50-10 thumping.

When Anthony Faingaa strolled straight through a mid-field channel to score under the posts it didn't go unnoticed by NSW and they will look to test O'Connor's defence tonight at ME Bank Stadium.

There is no questioning the courage of the Force youngster, nicknamed Rabbit, but his reading of defensive situations can be exploited, particularly with Hill only playing his second game tonight alongside him after being signed as injury cover.

The holes that opened up last weekend against the Reds have been addressed, said Graham.

"Where most teams have October through to January to settle their combinations and work on them in trials, we had five training sessions," he said. "You simply can't replicate what you get in a game and the pressures on the field. But we have worked hard to have a good understanding in that area and improved what we need to do."

Graham said O'Connor's defence was solid, and even the best players take time to adjust to unique defensive demands of different on-field roles.

"James has been a victim of his versatility. He has played three positions in four weeks. In a lot of respects, in games he has been finding his feet as he goes," he said.

It's a been a year of unsettled change for O'Connor. After Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell's departures last year, the teenager became one of the key leaders at the Force.

But after proving his danger at fullback in a narrow loss to the Brumbies in round one, injuries to key playmakers saw O'Connor moved to No. 10 by John Mitchell, and then to inside centre.

A combination of the positional shifting, and far too little quality ball in attack, has seen O'Connor's impact dampened this season.

"He's been thrown a lot of responsibility this year and he has probably had thousands of things running through his head at times," Graham said.

"But I know with great certainty as his career develops, he will be better for the experience. People really do forget how young he is. He's played 18 Super games and 14 Tests and he's still only 19."

Graham said the Force had fronted up this week about their swiss cheese defence against the Reds, where they'd missed 14 tackles by halftime.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225843006648

[tdevil]

They should rather concentrate on Mitchell's defence and security under a high ball

[zimeric]

seriously with that much ball youll always find holes.. that article is fluff