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Rising star too young for U/20s
Bret Harris | May 07, 2008 Rising star too young for U/20s | The Australian
IN an absurd situation, Western Force rookie inside back James O'Connor has been deemed too young to represent Australia in an under-20 world championship only three days after making an outstanding Super 14 run-on debut.
O'Connor, 17, started for the Force in the thrilling 22-21 win against the Chiefs in Perth last Saturday and he is regarded as a chance to tour Europe in an expanded Wallabies squad at the end of the year.
But an IRB regulation ruled out O'Connor and two other Super 14 players, Brumbies backs Afusipa Taumoepeau and Matt Tomua, because they were under 18 years of age.
Under rule 4.3 of the IRB tournament rules on eligibility: the player shall be born between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 1989. No player born outside the stipulated period shall be permitted to play in the tournament.
O'Connor was born on July 7, 1990, missing the cut by just over six months. The ARU unsuccessfully applied for dispensation for the three players.
Nevertheless, there are still 10 players with Super 14 experience in the 26-man Australian squad for the inaugural under-20 tournament, following the merger of the under-19s and under-21s, in Wales next month.
The squad includes Super 14 regulars Kurtley Beale and Rob Horne (NSW), Queensland's Quade Cooper and Will Genia and the Force's Sam Wykes and David Pocock.
Several players such as Pocock, Beale and Horne are still in contention for the Wallabies and Australia A selection, which could affect the final composition of the under-20 squad.
Rookie winger Dane Haylett-Petty, who was also named in the Australian under-20 squad, and prop Kieran Longbottom, will make their Super 14 run-on debuts against the Hurricanes.