0
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/down_dis.png)
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
Wallaby superteen James O'Connor says he would be happy to step into the Force's flyhalf breach as the club deals with a growing injury crisis.
Coach John Mitchell and the club hierarchy have begun an international search to replace Andre Pretorius, Mark Bartholomeusz, Richard Brown and Cameron Shepherd all suffering long-term injuries.
With the Hurricanes in Wellington to come this week, the Force must first decide who their playmaker will be, after third choice Sam Harris had a nightmare debut against the Brumbies.
The obvious choice is O'Connor, 19, who - despite his age - had a history of playing flyhalf before he joined the Force after high school.
The second youngest Wallaby in history says he would be happy to take on the role.
"I am happy to play wherever, so if the guys want me to play at 10 I will play at 10 – whatever is best for the team," O'Connor said.
"I played a fair bit of 10 at school and changed positions when I came to Force – so there is a little bit of background there.
"The big thing for me is that I like to get my hands on the ball as much as possible. If I play at 10 I guess I will be able to control the game a little bit more."
O'Connor was the bright spark from the opening round loss to the Brumbies and said he was pleased with his game, but not the amount of ball he received, another hint flyhalf may be his destination.
"I did not really touch the ball too much, I got a few kicks and I was happy with my technique. I have been doing a fair bit of work," O'Connor said.
"I am enjoying full back. I am getting a bit more space and enjoying those little touches out wide.
"You learn so much from different positions – 12 is more defensive, 10 you control the game more, at 15 you get more space to attack.
"Each little thing I take a different aspect of the position."
But injuries still present the major issue at the Force.
Brown could learn today the prognosis of his injured shoulder, while Shepherd is out for six weeks with a serious thigh strain.
O'Connor says the Force have the depth to deal with their early injury crisis.
"It is pretty devastating for Cam and it has been tough for him, he has done all the rehab for his ankle to great and he was in awesome condition," O'Connor said.
"Our squad has got a fair bit of depth, so I am confident the boys outside the squads would do a good job.
"We have got Dane Haylett-Petty, Haig Sare and Nick Cummins is back running around.
"We took a lot of out the (Brumbies) game, and the game plan against the Hurricanes will be good."
http://www.watoday.com.au/rugby-unio...0216-o5t2.html
"Don't Panic, Captain Mainwaring. Don't panic."
"Now that's the kind of fighting talk I like to hear, Jones."![]()
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Shasta, forgive me but wasnt it Mannering?
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
In some parts that's how they pronounce Mainwaring.