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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.