Force show off young gun

[KenyaQuin]

Force show off young gun
By Iain Payten Force show off young gun | The Daily Telegraph

April 09, 2008 12:00am

THE Western Force are poised to call on a talented 17-year-old dubbed "the new Tim Horan" for his Super 14 debut against the Waratahs.

Brilliant teenager James O'Connor has been drafted into the Force squad for Saturday's clash in Perth after starring for the Australian sevens side recently.

In just his first year out of school, O'Connor will join the bench if injured Force centre Lachlan McKay doesn't overcome an ankle injury.

In a highly promising sign for Australian rugby, O'Connor's debut would see four teenage backs in the two sides after NSW picked 18-year-old Robert Horne yesterday as a starting centre.

O'Connor's name and potential has been mentioned often in rugby circles this year - including by ARU boss John O'Neill - and it was only his call-up to the Australian sevens side in the last fortnight that stopped Force coach John Mitchell fielding the rookie last weekend.

And though his only experience of senior football amounts to one pre-season trial, O'Connor already has become the subject of a fierce bidding war.

Several NRL clubs are said to be interested in the fresh-faced centre, who amazingly also qualifies to play rugby for four countries.

O'Connor has an Australian mum, a Kiwi dad, a South African grandmother and another British grandparent. Wallabies legend Mark Ella, who coached O'Connor in the Australian sevens side last week, was impressed with the Queenslander.

"He has got a lot of talent. He's very dynamic and has a good step,'' Ella said. "Obviously he's raw, but mate, he's got plenty of fire in his belly. Like all good sportsmen he fancies himself. I'd say he has a bright future.

Though Force flanker David Pocock was banned from Super 14 as a 17-year-old, the rules were subsequently amended by the ARU and O'Connor has received a dispensation for senior football.

[The InnFORCEr]

The Force actually tried to get him back for last week's match once Mr HBF was ruled out, but the ARU would not allow it as he was in the 7's team.

That will knock Dayne off the bench, but I am interested to see how the young fella goes.

Imagine watching the RWC in that household!

[KenyaQuin]

If true, I'm assuming then that we will have a 4-3 bench with Chucky, Cummins and O'Connor.

[jargan83]

I thought Mr HBF hurt his hip last week?

[inactive]

I thought cummins would be on wing or will haig be back?? Sounds like McKay is still a bit suss

[JediKnight]

How come he gets to be in the squad at 17 when Bam-Bam had to wait until he was 18?

[Thequeerone]

Mr MBF remember who pays the bills - had a groin strain -

Changed the rules for Bam Bam so James get the benefit

[gustafsl]

Awesome. He was incredible for the sevens on the weekend. Countless times he made huge runs. No one could keep up with him though so it didn't result in too many tries for Australia. But if Crossy is over one of his shoulders and Giteau on the other look out Tahs.

I would hope the ARU has plans to get him in a Wallaby jumper this season!!!! They would be stupid not to considering he could play for four different countries. Even if they just throw him out there in the game against Italy. At least make sure he can't go and play for one of the other countries. I'd hate to see a team like the All Blacks offer him a spot while we wait around to see if he turns out as good as the hype.

[beige]

I would hope the ARU has plans to get him in a Wallaby jumper this season!!!! They would be stupid not to considering he could play for four different countries.

I believe that playing in the IRB Sevens is enough to lock him in

[jargan83]

I think it is. I know the IRB was thinking about making 7's representation count, a thing supported by the Pacific Islands to stop places from pinching their players. I was unsure whether it became a reality or not

[Scotty]

I think you have to play a certain number of Sevens games to qualify. LOL, it's probably seven!

[beige]

Here we go... IRB Regulation 8.2

A Player who has played for the senior fifteen-a-side National
Representative Team or the next senior fifteen-a-side National
Representative Team or the senior National Representative Sevens Team
of a Union is not eligible to play for the senior fifteen-a-side National
Representative Team or the next senior fifteen-a-side National
Representative Team or the senior National Representative Sevens Team
of another Union.

[AndyS]

But then, Reg 8.4:

For the purposes of this Regulation, a Player is deemed to have played for the senior National Representative Sevens Team of a Union if he is selected to represent a Union’s senior National Representative Sevens Team in an International Match against the senior National Representative Sevens Team of another Union and is present at the Match played by that Team either as a replacement, substitute or playing member of that Team and has, at the time of the Match, reached the age of majority.

[beige]

Oh-oh, when's his birthday?

Actually, according to the regulations, a match for Australia A in the Pacific Nations against anyone except the Maori will do it (assuming he's old enough)...

[tdevil]

Oh-oh, when's his birthday?

Actually, according to the regulations, a match for Australia A in the Pacific Nations against anyone except the Maori will do it (assuming he's old enough)...

D.O.B 05/07/1990