O'Connor in doubt for Brumbies clash

[blueandblack]

Boom Western Force youngster James O'Connor is in doubt for Saturday's Super 14 derby against the Brumbies with an ankle injury.

Hot property O'Connor sustained a high ankle strain in the Force's 16-10 round two win over the Cheetahs on Friday night in Perth.

The young Wallabies utility back is rated a 50-50 chance of lining up outside playmaker Matt Giteau against the Brumbies in Canberra.

The rest...

[Stone Cold]

All showmanship..he'll be there and starting at number 10

[Endurance]

All showmanship..he'll be there and starting at number 10

.... no, he wont.

[laura]

Thats a shame, but does he get the gig as water boy and Spanna goes to starting 12 and Junior on the bench then?

[jargan83]

If he gets on the plane he will play

I agree with Stone Cold

Given that Spanner has said he doesn't want to "rush" back I would say he will start from the bench again this week

[mudskipper]

I was looking forward to seeing JOC line up against Mortlock.... are you sure his mother didn't call and cancel?...

[James]

I wouldn't like to see the guy go up against Mortlock in the mid-field. Especially not if he isn't 100%. Hardy is out aswell but I think since the Brumbies aren't nearly as good scrummagers as the Cheetahs and Blues we can sub in Pekky Cowan who has less experience but a lot more grunt.

[jargan83]

I was looking forward to seeing JOC line up against Mortlock.... are you sure his mother didn't call and cancel?...

Finese always beats brute force, Twinkle Toes O'Connor would have Mortlock chasing his own shadow, Brumbies Doctor probably rang the Force and asked for something along those lines NOT to hapen. If Mortlock got dizzy he would be out for 4-6 weeks

[mudskipper]

Exactly you can't put JOC up against the Mortometre... Staniforth should step in for 12... He has half a chance at stopping him... one of the locks is going to be out in teh centres all match tackling for JOC...

[mudskipper]

Morlock, Example Tackle 1a:

And look there's Giteau cheering him on

[Stone Cold]

JOC can take him

[jargan83]

JOC will have Mortlock contemplating retirement

[James]

Morlock, Example Tackle 1a:

And look there's Giteau cheering him on

Are you sure Mortlock is tackling him in that picture? Looks a bit sus. Perhaps having Giteau back will 'straighten' up the Brumbies backline. But then you never know with that hair.

[GIGS20]

Morlock, Example Tackle 1a:

And look there's Giteau cheering him on

THIS is your example of a copybook tackle?

Where's his head?

no wonder he spends half his life in treatment for concussion!

My money, Line Giteau up against the human wrecking ball, no point in risking long term injury to little Jimmy. O'Connor would turn Lealiifano into a pretzel playing at 10.

Gits can run into Mortlock all day, It'd be the World's best 12 against an old, slow concussed ex-13....win win really!

[AndyS]

Exactly, why not Daruda v Lealifano, Giteau v Mortlock?