O’Connor keen for No.10 jersey at Force
By Justin Chadwick, 17 Feb 2010 Justin Chadwick is a Roar Pro
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- James OConnor, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, wallabies, Western Force
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Wallabies fullback James O’Connor has put his hand up to take on the Western Force’s five-eighth role as the Super 14 team’s injury woes continue to mount at an alarming rate.
The Force have begun a world-wide search to find a replacement for injured former Springbok Andre Pretorius after the ARU granted the Perth-based franchise special permission to supplant the marquee signing.
But a recruit won’t be secured in time to take part in Saturday’s clash with the Hurricanes in New Zealand.
And with one-Test Wallaby Mark Bartholomeusz sidelined with a neck complaint and utility back Sam Harris enduring a disastrous night in the No.10 jersey last Friday against the Brumbies, the Force’s flyhalf stocks are paper thin.
But O’Connor, who starred at fullback in the season-opening 24-15 loss to the Brumbies, said he was willing to take on the flyhalf role until an adequate replacement was found.
“I’m happy to play wherever,” O’Connor said on Tuesday.
“If the guys want me to play 10 I’ll play 10, whatever’s best for the team.
“I played a fair bit of 10 at school.
“I only changed positions when I came to the Force so I’ve got a bit of background there.
“The big thing for me is I love to get my hands on the ball as much as possible so if I play at 10 I guess I’ll be able to control the game a little bit more.
“But like I said it’s up to the coaches.”
The current lack of options at five-eighth is only one area of concern for the Force, who must do without winger Cameron Shepherd (thigh) for six weeks and Wallabies No.8 Richard Brown (shoulder) for a yet-to-be-determined period of time.
Brown will undergo scans to determine the extent of the damage, with a worst-case scenario being a shoulder reconstruction and a season on the sidelines.
But the Force could welcome back a favourite son to ease the burden on the backline, with Scott Staniforth considering a return.
Staniforth left the Force at the end of last season to take up a lucrative contract in Japan but returned to Perth recently as is in talks with the Force.
“Scott’s an awesome player and a good bloke as well so he’ll definitely be a good leader in the team,” O’Connor said.
Shepherd has endured a horrid run of injury since breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle while playing for the Wallabies in 2008.
The 25-year-old had set himself for a big season but that all came crashing to the ground when he injured himself while kicking during the warm-up of the season opener.
“It’s pretty devastating for Cam,” O’Connor said.
“He’s done all the rehab and everything for his ankle to get right and he was in awesome condition so for this to happen it’s pretty tough on him.
“But we’ve got a pretty big squad and I think we’ve got the guys to fill his position.
“We’ve got Dane Haylett-Petty who can slot into wing or fullback, Haig Sare.
“And Nick Cummins is back running around and is pretty hyped up, which is good to see.”
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Hammer said | February 17th 2010 @ 8:57am | Report comment
Here comes the next jack of all trades, master of none off the great aussie rugby production line – mistake, big mistake …
he was making reasonable progress at 2nd 5 – but since then he has been wrongly handled at national level and has been found out big time at fullback – and now reckons he can slip into 10 no problems … this bloke has the next Drew Mitchell written all over him
Justin said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:48am | Report comment
Hammer I agree he was looking good at 12 until Saint Robbie messed things up. However from a Force point of view who would you have at 10 this week after the debacle of Harris and the other fella at 12 from last week? They were atrocious… JOC has to come into 12 at least if Bart is still out. The oter option is Sare who played well enough a few years ago but was on the wing last week.
Hoy said | February 17th 2010 @ 10:04am | Report comment
I concur Hammer.
Do Aus rugby a favour and play this bloke in one spot, so he can learn how to play that one spot well.
So far, his best spot is 12. Play him there.
I don’t think he has the long ball to make it at 10.
TommyM said | February 17th 2010 @ 5:29pm | Report comment
Did you watch the game last week? God people spout some nonsense on this site. Watch it again and see O’Connor throw a bullet halfway across the field on a quick throw. On top of which, if you knew anything about his history, you’d know that he played a large amount of his junior rugby at 10.
Who Needs Melon said | February 17th 2010 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
I agree too – I’ve said before on this site how much I hate the way we continually shift players around.
BUT it was desperation stakes last weekend and if JOC has experience (albeit schoolboy) at 10 and wanted to play there, I can’t see why they didn’t give him a burl late in the match after it was clear it was not Sam Harris’ night.
You’ve got to be devastated for Cam Shep too. He is/was a guy with real talent and could/should have been a Wallaby regular by this stage but his body just doesn’t want to let him.
Mike G said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:05am | Report comment
Hate to sound melodramatic, but i think the Force will be battling uphill to avoid the bottom 3 at seasons end, with all their injuries.
They have better depth than the Reds, but have now lost a fair % of the core of the team…Hope I’m wrong, but I can’t see them winning too many games without all their stars on the park. JOC would go well anywhere in the backline, he is a true star player, & I’ve always liked Cummins too – But the rest of the backline will struggle – Cross has his moments, but is too inconsistent.
At least Mitchell has recruited well up front, (although I’m yet to be convinced of Cowan at 2), so perhaps they can pull a couple of close games out whilst the stars are getting fixed up???
formeropenside said | February 17th 2010 @ 11:47am | Report comment
Yeah, having 4 teams with talent spread thin is such a blessing for Australian rugby.
Who Needs Melon said | February 17th 2010 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
“The Force have begun a world-wide search to find a replacement for injured former Springbok Andre Pretorius after the ARU granted the Perth-based franchise special permission to supplant the marquee signing”.
What’s Bernie Larkham up to at the moment?
C’mon Stephen! Australian rugby needs you. Just one season for the Force… please?
ohtani's jacket said | February 18th 2010 @ 1:07am | Report comment
He was last seen saving Ricoh from relegation.
While I’m at it, Gerrard’s team were torched 50-17 by Toyota in the All Japan National Championships. Won’t be much fun for Gerrard next season.
Brett McKay said | February 17th 2010 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Melon, I wonder if Danny Cipriani might like Perth??
Campbell Watts said | February 17th 2010 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
I’d heard a rumour (from a well-placed ex-Force player) about six weeks ago that Pretorius had changed his mind about the Force and not to expect to see him playing in Perth this season, then……
Just before the season starts…… he does a season-ending hammy injury.
Now I’m a suspicious type but that surely comes over as a bit fishy doesn’t it?? Possible “faked” injury cover-up so as to be able to recruit another marque player???
Hmmm…….
formeropenside said | February 17th 2010 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
Force have some form with faking things dont they? Or was it just covering up third party payments? I can’t recall.
Justin said | February 17th 2010 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
All great in theory but he is staying in Perth to help coach
AndyS said | February 17th 2010 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
Yeah, that’ll be it – Pretorius deliberately tore the hammy off the bone to avoid playing for the Force. Unless you are saying that he bribed all the Force medical staff to lie for him, or that there is no way the Force would be so mean as to have him honour a signed contract…
Chris K said | February 18th 2010 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
I find this hard to believe. Perth is pretty much part of South Africa these days and honestly who would want to live in Jozi if they could help it?
Hammer said | February 17th 2010 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
Pocock out for 6 weeks now as well – they’re looking at receiving a real towelling this weekend
Justin said | February 17th 2010 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
A pretty cruel run with injuries – this week they are without Pretorious, Bart, Pocock, Brown, Shep and Cummins. Are there any others?
tarpo said | February 17th 2010 @ 3:04pm | Report comment
Justin, if there are any others then lets hope it is Sam Harris, if he can’t play 5/8 it would be some good news for the Force!
Go_the_Wannabe's said | February 17th 2010 @ 3:58pm | Report comment
It could go either way at the moment…….Force implode and get a father of a hiding this week…….or they stand up and have a red hot crack!
Force always play their best when they’ve been written off……there’s no pressure or expectation when everyone writes you off!
Cometh the hour, cometh the Force!
I don’t see anything wrong with playing JOC at flyhalf……what have they got to lose exactly? He’ll probably end up there or at 12 with the Wannabe’s eventually anyway. Besides, he’s too short to take the high bombs at fullback. The sooner he moves to 10 or 12 the better.
Staniforth was sensational at 12 the last time injuries hit…..he would be welcomed back with open arms!!!
Sam Harris is too good a footballer to be written off so quickly as well……he’s no mug, he just needs a few games to settle in wherever they play him.
Justin said | February 17th 2010 @ 5:53pm | Report comment
GTW – SH isnt a 5/8s ass, not that its his fault he is playing there.
Go_the_Wannabe's said | February 18th 2010 @ 4:07pm | Report comment
Correct, he’s a more than handy footballer but just playing out of position. He has played there before though….I wouldn’t mind if Mitch persisted with him at 10 for the next couple of games. He would probably settle in after awhile…..lets face it, he probably won’t play worse than last week!
Harry said | February 17th 2010 @ 6:19pm | Report comment
Have just learnt that ARU have refused permission to Force to play Staniforth for rest of the season. What negative thinking, The club needs urgent help and this sort of attitude doesn’t help develop Australian rugby. With Melbourne threatening to chase Pocock and any other player whose contract is due for renewal at end of this year we are back in the same situation as last year, the super 14 year has barely started and poaching is going full ahead.. What do you think this does for the supporters. ARU want them back on the seats at the ground. It’s cheaper to take out cable TVt and watch New Zealand and South Africa’s efforts and forget reading the Australian media, who ably support the ARU, bugger up the game here. One can now get 6 Nations on EPSN and if one pays for Setanta all the European Heinken etc games.What a smorgasbord is available at cheaper prices than going to the rugby here which is being manipulated by “selfish old farts” to borrow a phrase form one English captain.