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O'Connor set to become second youngest Wallaby
- Tim Clarke
- November 6, 2008 - 3:38PM
James O'Connor.
Western Force wunderkind James O'Connor is on track to become the second youngest Wallaby in the history of Australian Rugby Union, after being named on the bench to take on Italy in this weekend's Test in Padova.
Following in the footsteps of Western Force colleague David Pocock, who last weekend became the 829th Wallaby when he made a late substitute appearance against New Zealand, O'Connor is one of several changes made by Robbie Deans for the first leg of Australia's European tour.
At 18 years and 126 days, O'Connor would become the second youngest player ever to play for Australia if he takes the field on Saturday.
The youngest ever Wallaby was Queensland winger Brian Ford, who was 18 years and 90 days when he appeared against New Zealand at Brisbane in 1957.
The return of Timana Tahu at inside centre - one of eight personnel changes by Deans - will see him feature for the Wallabies since making his run on debut against South Africa at Johannesburg in August.
He has been paired in the midfield alongside tour skipper Stirling Mortlock, who returns to centre after appearing at inside centre against the All Blacks in Hong Kong last week.
The selection of wingers Lachie Turner and Digby Ioane are among the other changes to the formation from last week, with Berrick Barnes also appearing for the first time in 2008 at flyhalf. He had previously played all of his internationals for the season from inside centre.
Barnes made a successful return after an injury enforced layoff in the second half against the All Blacks last week.
Rising Force star Richard Brown, lock Mark Chisholm, hooker Stephen Moore and utility Dean Mumm are the only players to retain their starting positions from last week among the forwards.
Phil Waugh starts on the openside flank in place of George Smith, props Matt Dunning and Ben Alexander come in for Al Baxter and Benn Robinson respectively, while a change in the second row sees Hugh McMeniman make his return from an ankle injury in the place of Nathan Sharpe.
The make up of the bench sees regular flyhalf Matt Giteau selected to cover halfback, the position he predominantly occupied for the Wallabies last year.
No 8 Wycliff Palu returns from injury, after straining the medial ligament of his knee in the Tri-Nations decider against the All Blacks at Brisbane in early September, while first-time tourists: prop Sekope Kepu, flyhalf Quade Cooper have been selected alongside O'Connor.
Deans said his side was not underestimating the Italians, indicating that the changes reflected both a desire to manage resources, as well as injecting fresh enthusiasm.
"We've got a demanding schedule ahead of us on this tour so sharing the work load is essential. We selected the touring party with that in mind," Deans says.
"It's not a case of under-estimating the Italians - they will present arguably the strongest forward pack we face on this trip, but the guys we have selected have worked hard, and we're confident they can do the job."
Deans says the Wallabies are not dwelling on last weekend's narrow loss to the All Blacks in Hong Kong.
"We've taken what value we can out of that experience and moved on," he says.
The Wallabies arrived in northern Italy on Sunday night after an arduous 24-hour journey from Hong Kong, via London.
Wallabies team to play Italy: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Timana Tahu, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, Phil Waugh, Dean Mumm, Hugh McMeniman, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Matt Giteau, Quade Cooper, James O'Connor
http://www.watoday.com.au:80/sport/o...1106-5j7r.html
1. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2. Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds)
3. Matt Dunning (NSW Waratahs)
4. Mark Chisholm (Brumbies)
5. Hugh McMeniman (Queensland Reds)
6. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
7. Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs)
8. Richard Brown (Western Force)
9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
10. Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds)
11. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)
12. Timana Tahu (NSW Waratahs)
13. Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies, captain)
14. Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs)
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)
Replacements:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
18. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
19. David Pocock (Western Force)
20. Matt Giteau (Western Force)
21. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
22. James O’Connor (Western Force).
Last edited by travelling_gerry; 06-11-08 at 15:17. Reason: backwards :(
JO'C looks like he was dragged out of bed for that photo
Congrats to him if he gets on the field
I wonder how much training has been done with these combos.
Pleased to see some new props Alexander and Kepu. Deans will tick off a few boxes with this game with first caps JOC, Cooper and Kepu. And Digby and Lachie...
I thought we weren't going to be taking Italy lightly?
Yeah....I thought so too MainGame.. It doesnt have the vBookie worried though..
Smith gets the day off to go shopping...
yay for rabbit!!!
BOKKE“Let me put it this way, A Springbok team contains Afrikaners, Englishmen, coloureds and blacks. It has parochial foes in Bulls, Sharks, Stormers, Cheetahs and Lions. It is a recipe for war! Yet in all the years of John Smit’s captaincy, there has never been one unhappy customer, not one voice of rebellion against his leadership. He is the glue that holds the Springboks together. The man is a legend!”- Jake White
Australia v Italy – Historical Notes
+ This is the 10th official Test between Australia and Italy dating back to the inaugural match at Rovigo in 1983. Australia won that game 29-7 and has prevailed in every contest since.
+ Five of the previous meetings have been in Italy including the most recent contest two years ago in Rome where Australia over-turned a 13-15 halftime deficit to prevail 25-18.
+ Just three members of the Australian starting XV – skipper Stirling Mortlock, lock Mark Chisholm and hooker Stephen Moore (who appeared as a replacement) – remain from the side that won in Rome in 2006. Run on reserves Matt Giteau (halfback) and Wycliff Palu (No 8) also featured in the starting XV on that occasion.
+ This is the second Test between Australia and Italy at Padova, although the previous contest, 12 years ago, was played at the Stadio Del Plebiscito, where the Qantas Wallabies have trained this week. The Test in 1996 holds a special place in Australian Test history as the 100th international played by David Campese.
+ Italy’s highest score against Australia in a Test match on home soil is 18, which it has achieved twice. No Italian player has scored more than one Test try against Australia.
Well done on the selection JO'C, hopefully you can convert it into a cap.
Youngest Wallaby of the pro era, there I said it first...
Not only is it a dream come true to see Trestle out but there's the potential of seeing the Alexander-Kepu combo too, fingers crossed they have a blinder against "arguably the best pack in Europe" and we don't see Trestle again!
Would appear that Mumm is up for a fitness test as there are no Locks on the bench.
Doesn't say much for Robbie's faith in Cordingley and Sheehan if he would prefer to run his injured "star" on the bench.
He might be "covering" Scrumhalf, but I would expect Holmes to play 80 and Gits only to come on if the undefeated record is at risk, probably in Flyhalf (if Holmes is still fit).
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Congratulations James! Proud as punch![]()
Who have all earnt them now.
But it is good to get these boys in gold. Boost some confidences, get them stuck with AusI just hope they have earned, like Robbie said. I don't want him going back on his word...
It's Turner's second test isn't it? I hope it goes a lot better than the first mate![]()
A kick in this game is like a rather nasty alcoholic shooter, only as good as it's chaser...
Courtesy of quality South African commentry
Didn't know there was a Holmes playing.?!!
I reckon Gits is just there to cover 9 and 10, and 12 if need be.
Great to see Rabbit getting a bench spot, will be even better if he comes on, and with at least 10 mins to spare.
I was hoping to see Pocock getting a start. Phil Waugh needs to step aside and let the young ones through. But in any case, I hope Dave gets more than 10 mins he got against the All Blacks.
I thought Deans said he wasn't going to give out test debuts so easily. Seems to me almost everyone will get a cap after this game.
Definitely a second string and young team that has the potential to play some very exciting rugby against the italians.
Would love to see Quade, Dave, JOC and Kepu all on the field together towards the end. They're the future of Australian Rugby.
Yeah yeah, Burgess....
Point remains...
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.