Deans tells elevated O'Connor the hard work has just begun

[travelling_gerry]

Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent | June 10, 2009


WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans yesterday stuck to his pledge of turning teenager James O'Connor into a fully fledged starting Test player by promoting him to fullback for the first of two internationals against Italy, in Canberra on Saturday night.

The phenomenal Western Force utility player has blossomed under Deans's tutelage, first getting his chance on last year's end-of-season tour - when the 18-year-old made his Test debut off the bench against Italy in Padova - and then excelling at fullback against the Barbarians at Wembley in the tour finale. The carrot of starting a Test was again dangled a few weeks ago when Deans took O'Connor out of the Australian under-20s World Cup squad and moved him into the Wallabies training contingent because the coach believed the youngster's time had come.

The plan, set out several weeks ago, was for the incumbent Test fullback, Adam Ashley-Cooper, to play against the Barbarians and for O'Connor to make his Test starting debut against Italy the following week. After Ashley-Cooper performed strongly in the 48-point win over the Barbarians in Sydney, there was the possibility the plan might be tinkered with, and the O'Connor promotion delayed a week.

But no, O'Connor's immediate impact off the bench against the Barbarians on Saturday night, when he scored after taking the field midway during the second half, was the sealer. O'Connor and Ashley-Cooper swap positions this week, with team management last night stressing that Ashley-Cooper's move to the bench "did not reflect any disappointment" in how he played against the Barbarians. O'Connor was delighted to gain the starting spot. He said he has had his "eyes on this position for quite a while".

Deans said yesterday it was now up to O'Connor to prove he was of the required standard.

"James is clearly a talent, but you need more than that from this point on," Deans said. "There will now be less time and space, so his decision-making will become the priority, because you can't play the game as an individual.

"But he's already shown he sees things, and makes things happen. He's a pretty good decision-maker, and when he makes a poor decision, he's often able to get himself out of danger."

The other change was Dean Mumm moving into the blindside breakaway position, left vacant by the unavailability of the injured Rocky Elsom and Matt Hodgson, while fellow Waratahs Lote Tuqiri and Phil Waugh remain out of the 22-man squad. ACT utility forward Peter Kimlin moves onto the bench.


And while Italy coach Nick Mallett is pushing the line that his side will be thrashed by the Wallabies, the Australians are ignoring him.

They think back to last November and how that supposedly hopeless Italy team came so close to beating them in Padova. It was only a cheeky solo try by replacement five-eighth Quade Cooper in the 72nd minute that saved Australia, who scrambled to an unimpressive 30-20 victory.

Mumm was No.6 that day and hasn't forgotten. When asked what he thought of Mallett deliberately playing down Italy's chances, Mumm replied: "I don't think any of us who played in Padova that afternoon will be reiterating those comments.
"Italy were a very tough side, and succeeded in keeping themselves in the game.

What really strikes you about them is their physicality and enthusiasm. They just keep lining up in defence, where they want to bash you. They love that physical nature of the game and they really get stuck in. There was so much passion involved in it."

Deans laughed off Mallett's sentiments, saying: "It's part of his routine. You can be sure behind closed doors he won't be saying that. And you can be sure his players won't be believing it. If I heard it from the players, then I would be interested."

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...e#contentSwap1

[travelling_gerry]

Bret Harris | June 10, 2009

Article from: The Australian

HE looks like a fresh-faced schoolboy, but James O'Connor will be asked to play a leadership role for the Wallabies against Italy in Canberra on Saturday.

O'Connor, 18, will make his run-on Test debut against Italy in a role that Deans sees as possibly the most important tactical decision-making position in the team.

Deans always prefers to play with three ball distributors in his backline and O'Connor will have that responsibility at fullback.

"James is very able to push on and handle those decision-making elements of the game as opposed to thriving as an individual," Deans said.

"He will be an important driver of the direction of the team.

"The fullback is the most important (decision-maker) in many ways. He sees the whole field and he has the time to communicate what he sees to his teammates.

"He will bring a lot of energy and hopefully poise and direction."

O'Connor has only played three matches for the Wallabies. Coming off the bench against Italy in Padua last November, starting against the Barbarians at Wembley last December and as a reserve again in Sydney last Saturday.

Deans conceded that youth and inexperience can sometimes inhibit leadership, but O'Connor is a very confident young man.

"One of the biggest challenges for a younger player is to have the confidence to provide direction and voice," Deans said.

"That's part of his brief and what the players around him will need from him.

"He has always played with confidence. We are asking him to lead. We expect that of everyone to help each other in the common cause."

O'Connor's youthful looks are deceptive. He is no smaller than five-eighth Matt Giteau or inside centre Berrick Barnes.

Apart from being a ball-player at fullback, O'Connor will also be a strike weapon - the Wallabies' baby-faced assassin.

Along with Giteau, he is the best broken field runner in the Wallabies squad, which means he will be able to launch counter-attacks and link with his wingers.

"He's not afraid of too much," said Deans, a former New Zealand fullback. "He's strong. He's got good feet. He is perfectly equipped. He has filled out since the tour.

"He's ready to go."

Deans has been keen to start O'Connor at fullback to blood him for this year's Tri-Nations tournament.

He foreshadowed this when he took O'Connor out of the Australian under-20s team which is competing in the World Cup in Japan.

There was talk of O'Connor starting at fullback against the Barbarians, but Deans stuck with the incumbent, Adam Ashley-Cooper.

No one has ever played as well as Ashley-Cooper did against the Barbarians last Saturday and found himself on the bench the following week.

O'Connor's brief appearance off the bench against the Barbarians, which included a try, confirmed what Deans had already seen in him.

"It has been well documented our intention to hold him back to develop with us," Deans said.

"He had an introduction last week off the bench and he did well.

"This is an opportunity for him to start in a Test for the first time.

"It's no reflection on Adam Ashley-Cooper. He had an outstanding game.

"Just because one player is good doesn't necessarily mean the other isn't.

"We need 30 players to play to their potential. We need more than 22 players. We need 30 players who can answer the call at the drop of a hat.

"This will be the beginning of his learning. Test matches are different to Super 14. There is less time and space."

Deans had no doubt Italy would test O'Connor with high balls as it seeked to exploit his inexperience.

"They will kick a lot and play a field position game," Deans said. "They will put the ball up and maul against us."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html

[travelling_gerry]

Bret Harris | June 10, 2009

Article from: The Australian

THERE are only two changes to the Wallabies' starting line-up for the first Test against Italy in Canberra on Saturday, but they are significant for both the long-term and short-term prospects of the team.

As revealed on The Australian's website yesterday, James O'Connor, 18, will start atfullback in his run-on Test debut, while Dean Mumm will play blindside flanker with Peter Kimlin coming on to the bench.

And two of Australia's most experienced Test campaigners, winger Lote Tuqiri and openside flanker Phil Waugh, have been omitted from the 22-man squad.

The selection of O'Connor will be the start of a long and glittering Test career, which may ultimately see him take over from Matt Giteau at five-eighth.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has been itching to get O'Connor into the run-on side since the teenager's promising performance on the Wallabies' tour of Hong Kong and Europe last November-December. Deans took O'Connor out of the Australian under-20s team competing in the World Cup in Japan so he could join the Wallabies squad.

There was speculation O'Connor would start for the Wallabies against the Barbarians in Sydney last Saturday, but he was named among the reserves, possibly because he was still nursing a shoulder injury.

It speaks volumes for Deans's regard for O'Connor that he has selected him ahead of Adam Ashley-Cooper, who had an outstanding game against the Barbarians. Yet in his 12 minutes on the field, O'Connor showed everything that Deans is looking for in a Test fullback.

Deans is building a team to take on the All Blacks and Springboks in the Tri-Nations series, and O'Connor's inclusion against Italy is a strong indication he will be a key part of the coach's plans.

While O'Connor has the opportunity to make the gold No.15 jersey his own, Mumm will be conscious of the fact that he is starting at blindside flanker because Rocky Elsom (leg) and Matt Hodgson (shoulder) are injured.

While Mumm covered second row and blindside flanker on the bench against the Barbarians, Deans had seen him primarily as a lock this year.

"This is something that has been forced on us," Deans said. "I'm sure he is excited. He sees himself as a bit of a six."

Mumm was happy to play blindside flanker or second row with his main aim to secure a regular place in the Wallabies' 22-man squad, something he achieved on the spring tour.

"I'm very excited to get a start," said Mumm, who started at blindside flanker in the Wallabies' win over Italy in Padua last November. "The backrow is extremely competitive at the moment. We have very good depth, which keeps you on your toes.

"I want to maximise my time in the 22 and become a regular member of the squad."

Mumm said he wanted to improve his ball-running at number six.

"Starting allows you to prepare differently than you would coming off the bench," Mumm said. "You know what you want to get out of the game and you've got the time to achieve it. I want to carry the ball and be dynamic in that area. It was an aspect I didn't do enough of at the Waratahs."

Mumm's promotion to the starting line-up has paved the way for Kimlin to sit on the bench for the first time in a Test.

Kimlin, who came on for the last couple of minutes of the Wallabies' win against the Barbarians at Wembley last year, will cover blindside flanker and second row.

"It's amazing," said Kimlin.

"Not only are you representing your country, but you are doing it in your own backyard.

"I'll take my time as it comes and make the most of it. It is going to be an amazing night and one I'll treasure for a long time."

Deans said Kimlin, who was in his third season with the Brumbies, was starting to mature as aplayer.

"He is quite athletic," Deans said. "He likes to defend and carry the ball. They are elements we like to have in the team. He'll be jumping out of his skin."

Deans dismissed comments by Italy's "lateral-thinking" coach Nick Mallett that the Azzurri may not be competitive in the two-Test series with the Wallabies.

"Nick Mallett is saying Italy aren't going to turn up. We know they are," Deans said. "Our recent experience against them (in Padua) suggests that. We are not listening to any of that pre-gamebanter."

Former Wallabies and Argentine Test prop Patricio Noriega has been appointed national scrum coach, replacing Trevor Woodman, who has joined English club Wasps.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html

[AndyS]

"Former Wallabies and Argentine Test prop Patricio Noriega has been appointed national scrum coach, replacing Trevor Woodman, who has joined English club Wasps."

I'm glad to hear that there is some support, at least. Anyone know Noriega's coaching chops?