O’Connor the Wallabies’ best back, says Kefu
By Jim Morton, 28 Jul 2011
- Tagged:
- James OConnor, Quade Cooper, Rugby Union, Toutai Kefu, wallabies, Will Genia
Former Wallabies enforcer Toutai Kefu has no doubts Australia possess the best backline in world rugby but it’s winger James O’Connor, not Quade Cooper or Will Genia, he rates No.1.
Kefu, a stand-out in the 1999 World Cup triumph, on Wednesday declared the multi-skilled O’Connor the pick of the crop from a rising Test side oozing with exciting young talent.
An interested spectator at Wallabies training on the Gold Coast, the 60-Test back-rower and Tonga forwards coach marvelled at the 21-year-old’s ability and expected him to only get better.
“I think James O’Connor is the best footballer in Australia at the moment and he’s only 21,” Kefu told AAP.
“He can do everything: kick, tackle, run and he’s quick. He’s absolutely got no fear.
“I just think he’s a wonderful athlete.”
Genia shaded the versatile O’Connor for man-of-the-match honours in the 39-20 Tri-Nations thumping of South Africa while halves partner Cooper also shone, setting up two of the Wallabies’ five tries.
Along with fellow youngsters David Pocock, 23, and Kurtley Beale, 22, Kefu believes Australia have the handful of world 15 players needed to make a serious tilt at the World Cup.
He said the embarrassing 32-23 loss to Samoa to open the international season would be well forgotten by the time the quadrennial tournament kicks off in New Zealand on September 9.
“I think in hindsight that could be a blessing in disguise, it gives them a wake-up and they have a core group of players who I reckon could be challenging for the best in their position in the world,” Kefu said.
“The halfback and five-eighth (Genia and Cooper) particularly, and I’ve thought if you have three or four of those in your team you’re a very good side.
“They have some wonderful athletes and they’re interchangeable as well; you can’t just say (O’Connor’s) a good winger or (Beale’s) a good fullback – they’re out and out great players.”
But Kefu said it was all very well possessing the most exciting team on paper, and warned they needed to produce on the big Eden Park stage against the All Blacks on Saturday week.
Australia hasn’t held the Bledisloe Cup since the rampaging No.8 scored a last-minute try to farewell John Eales in style in Sydney in 2002 .
“Everything looks good but we have to get away from all the talk and start walking the walk,” he said.
The Tongan-born Queenslander has been recruited by the Pacific Islanders for the World Cup and strongly believes they can take a leaf out of Fiji’s 2007 Cup book by nabbing a quarter-final berth.
The Tongans are drawn in the All Blacks’ pool along with France, Canada and Japan but feel they can cause a boilover.
“Canada and Japan, if we play well we should do away with them and France is our GF so we’re targeting that,” Kefu said. “That’s our last game and they would have just played the All Blacks.
“By then hopefully there’s a bit of pressure on them and we’re playing well with momentum.
“I think we’re a really good chance.”
© AAP 2012Recommend this story.
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- James OConnor, Quade Cooper, Rugby Union, Toutai Kefu, wallabies, Will Genia
July 28th 2011 @ 5:43am
jus de couchon said | July 28th 2011 @ 5:43am | Report comment
The australian forwards are too weak to give their talented backline a platform to play from.
July 28th 2011 @ 6:21am
Bayboy said | July 28th 2011 @ 6:21am | Report comment
How any one can claim Australia to have the best back line in the world just yet is absurd especially when they have done absolutely nothing of note .
Yes sure they have talent and potential but they are yet to prove themselves, they have had a loss to Samoa this year and a win over a pathetic South African outfit that the All Blacks get to toy with this weekend
As it stands they have done absolutely nothing to warrant being called the best back line in the world.
Maybe wait a few more weeks months before you lump that title on them
July 28th 2011 @ 8:03am
Hoy said | July 28th 2011 @ 8:03am | Report comment
BB, be realistic. The backline against Samoa was not the one people are claiming as the best in the world.
They have beaten South Africa in South Africa through the backline, they have beaten the All Blacks (in Asia (cue dead rubber calls)).
They are an exciting backline, I agree. Potentially the best in the world. But… they need the forwards to work harder to get them good ball, and tighten defense in the middle before they will consistently get results.
July 28th 2011 @ 8:37am
Bayboy said | July 28th 2011 @ 8:37am | Report comment
The All Blacks also beat the Boks in South Africa, the also beat Australia and this back line 3 out of four games last year twice in Australia not to mention went on an unbeaten rub in the Northern Hemisphere something the Wallabys could not do.
It will be argued until the cows come home however as it stands this Wallabies team is not worthy of the title best back line in the world they have done nothing to warrant . Potentially definitely they could be the best back line however they are not there yet.
July 28th 2011 @ 6:39pm
niwdEyaJ said | July 28th 2011 @ 6:39pm | Report comment
Sorry, the AB’s only beat “this” Australian backline in 1 out of 2 games… Cooper is a big part of the “best backline in the world” claims and he wasn’t around for the first two bledisloe cups…and from memory, Ioane was also missing froma few as well? I’m not saying I completely agree with the claim that Australia have the best backline in the world, but they are definitely up there and what they did last year with a shambles of a forward pack was nothing short of breathtaking… name another backline that would have scored as much as the wallabies behind the forward pack we had last year? so given what they were able to create from nothing in so many games last year, I think they HAVE done plenty to warrant the tag, but I’d agree that they still have some way to go in order to silence the critics en masse…
July 28th 2011 @ 8:45am
Bayboy said | July 28th 2011 @ 8:45am | Report comment
Hoy you bring up another point here which i do agree with, Brett lambasted me over my view on improvement to the Wallaby side and you in your statement here only highlight what I had been saying all along. It wasn’t the same team that played the boks so any improvement was minimal at best. How could you say a player has improved if hasn’t played a game preceding that on which you are judging them to have improved.
Also as for the claim of the Wallabies having the best back line in the world maybe you should reserve judgment until they are up against quality opposition. South Africa can use your line in reverse that Australia never came close to playing a full strength back line so were able to run at will. The top 5 nations with full strength teams will not afford the Wallabies as much space.
July 28th 2011 @ 10:16am
soapit said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:16am | Report comment
i notice you did the exact same thing brett did in your first comment tho.
truth is either way is fine. its not an exact science.
July 28th 2011 @ 11:22am
Brett McKay said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Bayboy, I think we were really just arguing over semantics. I don’t know there was much lambasting going on…
For what it’s worth, I happen to agree with you here, potentially, they are very, very good, but “best in the world” tags need to be held off until they’ve won more than just a few games. A few trophies in the next few months would certainly help the claims…
July 28th 2011 @ 8:23am
darwin stubby said | July 28th 2011 @ 8:23am | Report comment
It’s nothing more than a matter of opinion … sure the Wallabies have some talent …but when you realise that Wayne Smith has basically the conundrum of not only this weekends backline to select from but also who opposed them in training this week SBW, Dagg, Toeava, Sivivatu, Richard Kahui and Ben Smith … not exactly shabby
July 28th 2011 @ 7:46am
Deez said | July 28th 2011 @ 7:46am | Report comment
Oconnor may be the best all-round footballer in the team, but there is little doubt the man they need to keep on the pitch has to be Quade Cooper. The added direction and creativity he gets from the rest of the backline over the next string 5/8 is scary.
Its also a shame for australian rugby, as he’s probably the most likely to leave for the NRL is the next few years…
July 28th 2011 @ 9:00am
Capital said | July 28th 2011 @ 9:00am | Report comment
And Genia, the guy has played some great rugby this year.
His game against the (under manned) Boks was outstanding, as was some of his work in the S15 final.
He adds another attacking dimension to the team.
Regarding O’Connor, I think he is the most versatile of our four playmakers (Genia, Cooper, Beale, JOC). And has the potential to be world class at a number of positions – possibly 10, 12, and on his way at 11 14 15.
July 28th 2011 @ 7:49am
Ben S said | July 28th 2011 @ 7:49am | Report comment
As far as I’m concerned no Beale no WC.
July 28th 2011 @ 8:03am
Bayboy said | July 28th 2011 @ 8:03am | Report comment
Beale and O’Connor are the two most consistent performers in the Wallaby squad, Quade when at his best is very potent although he can have absolute shockers and when he is off he is really off as is Genia. Very rarely do Kurtly and James have bad games their all round game is second to none in the Wallabies backs.
July 28th 2011 @ 9:11am
soapit said | July 28th 2011 @ 9:11am | Report comment
kurtley did nothing on saturday. tries to beat the man on the outside every time and its just money for jam for defenders at that level. he needs to leave the playmaking to the playmakers and just concentrate on broken field play and support, hitting holes like a good fullback should.
genia is very consistent, just depends on what the defence allows him to do that lets him stand out or not ie if they play tight or not, then it creates space for others if they do.
July 28th 2011 @ 8:27am
Touko said | July 28th 2011 @ 8:27am | Report comment
I reckon it’s maybe fair to say we’ve got the best attacking back line in the world, but on the defensive side….
July 28th 2011 @ 8:41am
Bayboy said | July 28th 2011 @ 8:41am | Report comment
On what basis Touko how is this the best attacking backl ine in world rugby, the results of the last year tell a completely different story
July 28th 2011 @ 9:21am
soapit said | July 28th 2011 @ 9:21am | Report comment
you might need to expand on that bayboy. how do the results show they are not the best backline?
July 28th 2011 @ 10:29am
Bayboy said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:29am | Report comment
I think you’ll find if you go back through the Tri- Nations 2010 and EOYT soap pit you’ll find the AB backs scored more tries than the Wallaby backs.
If you look at the four NZ – AUS games you will see NZ backs scored 9 tries opposed to the Wallabies 7
I don not need to remind you that the All Blacks won 3 out of the four matches retaining the Bled and Tri Nations along the way
July 28th 2011 @ 11:20am
soapit said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:20am | Report comment
for this to mean the AB backs are better you’d have to assume that the wallaby forwards are the equal of the AB forwards.
i doubt you’d agree with that.
July 28th 2011 @ 10:33am
Jiggles said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:33am | Report comment
It’s because they don’t were black
July 28th 2011 @ 10:44pm
Lorry said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:44pm | Report comment
are you talking about the English backline?! They wear black now!
July 28th 2011 @ 11:12am
Hoy said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:12am | Report comment
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/2010-tri-nations-statistics/
I am not sure if these are official 2010 stats, I just googled and found them.
LIne breaks say Australia beats All Blacks. Now that doesn’t mean it was all the backs, but not that many forwards make line breaks.
Second to that, the All Blacks scored more from further out with 59% of their tries coming from 50+ metres, whereas only 35% of the Wallabies being long range. However that stat is only for the start of the tries, not the actual try.
Thirdly, 81% of our tries came through the backline, to 68% of the All Black tries.
Results and stats tell you anything you want really.
July 28th 2011 @ 1:59pm
Bayboy said | July 28th 2011 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
There’s actually a much easier way Hoy and that is actually looking up the try scorers for the respective matches and you can find them quite easily.
New Zealand backs outscored their Wallaby counterparts in the 4 testes that they played each other in 2010.
They (ABs) had a 3-1 win record against the supposed best back line in the world?
July 28th 2011 @ 2:27pm
Justin said | July 28th 2011 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
Easier doesnt mean accurate. The ABs tend to have more of the ball so should be expected to score more tries shouldnt they?
If the Wallaby backs arent as good as the ABs then they are very close.
July 28th 2011 @ 2:58pm
soapit said | July 28th 2011 @ 2:58pm | Report comment
you guys should really give up trying to prove this either way with stats. everyone knows the almost every aspect of performance of the backs is hugely influenced by what their forwards are doing so unless they are playing behind the same pack each week stats mean nothing.
just enjoy it for what it is, a debate of opinions.
July 28th 2011 @ 4:52pm
Touko said | July 28th 2011 @ 4:52pm | Report comment
Bayboy, i share Soapit’s sentiments exactly: the ABs have had much better forwards for the last few years, so our backs haven’t had much chance to shine, tho’ truth be told, until last year there’s no way you’d even say we had as much attacking potential in the backs as the ABs. But this year if everyone’s fit I reckon our backs would outscore yours 3 games out of 5 …. Provided that we were playing behind the AB forwards!
July 28th 2011 @ 5:21pm
stillmatic1 said | July 28th 2011 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
i think that people get confused by the manner in which the prospective backlines do their thing to score tries. i guess it could be said that the wallabies have so many x factor guys that try to do it all themselves and you tend to notice and applaud them when something might come off. whereas, the abs have a bit more structure and rely a bit more on support play and teamwork.
it would be hard to know who to support (or get the time to) if you were in the wallaby backline, as you have 3 main guys who just like to pull stuff out of the hat. fans go mushy over it, but it doesnt tend to work out consistantly, but has the benefit of not having to rely on the set piece or forwards doing their job.
that style ought not to work, but it has from time to time, and in a close game, thats all you need.
are the wallabies the best attacking backline? i would say NO, because they work more as individuals and not as a unit, so will not perform at the accepted level over a period of games. if they start to work it out though, well then, i would still hate em, but it would be pretty damn slick to watch.
July 29th 2011 @ 2:22pm
mikeylives said | July 29th 2011 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
Bayboy, let it out and have a cry, but the AB backs are just not as creative or quick and are a bit conservative at the moment. Dagg will be essential for them to work (and where has Corey J gone?).
Have loved AB backlines over the last 20 years. However, now is the only time (apart from the 1990-92 and 98-2000) eras that anyone can say that the WBs backline is the equal or better than the ABs. In my opinion, they are currently better.
However, it doesn’t hurt to have the best forwards in the world by a country mile…
You just have to settle for having the best team in the world.
July 28th 2011 @ 9:59am
Jiggles said | July 28th 2011 @ 9:59am | Report comment
I think Australia probably does have a claim for the best backline in the world right now. Genia is the best 9 by a country mile right now. Cooper is the best attacking 5-8, and Beale, O’Conner and Ioane could be considered in the top 10 outside backs right now.
But so what. It won’t mean squat if the forwards don’t front up, which they have shown very little evidence of doing in the past year or 2.
July 28th 2011 @ 10:06am
cinematic said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:06am | Report comment
Genia is a very good half but I disagree it’s by a country mile. He’s got his nose in front at the moment.
July 28th 2011 @ 10:20am
Jiggles said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:20am | Report comment
Who has he just got his nose in front of? I really don’t think any of the Kiwi 9s have what he does at all, and FDP hasn’t shown much form since 09 (which in my opinion is the bench mark of half-back play for the last 5 years). Youngs is pretty handy in my opinion but doesn’t have the vision of Genia right now, this may come with a bit of game time however.
July 28th 2011 @ 10:30am
Bayboy said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:30am | Report comment
Well see next weekend who is ahead by a country mile or who is just plodding along the footpath
July 28th 2011 @ 11:16am
Jiggles said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:16am | Report comment
as always your input is insightful…
July 28th 2011 @ 10:36am
cinematic said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:36am | Report comment
I think a fit Weepu (he’s not there yet but will be by WC) has great vision, a better kicking game and is a damaging runner, he also brings more of a physical presence than Genia. Weepu can also cover five-eight at a pinch.
IMO Genia is the leading half in world rugger at the mo but not by a big margin and he’s unlikely to be a defining factor at the WC.
July 28th 2011 @ 10:57am
Jiggles said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:57am | Report comment
I didn’t realise “physical presence” means lugging a spare tire around. On a more serious note, I really don’t think Piri has shown anything in his career that has been as good as Genia so far. Genia has a better pass, and his tactical kicking is as good as anything Piri offers. Piri doesn’t control his team as well as Genia either, which is ok at test level as you have Carter, but when he has been playing for the Hurricanes he hasn’t exactly dictated the terms. I actually don’t think he is the best Half in NZ, which is probably Ellis, although that’s a tough call.
Genia is the most important player for the Wallabies I think for the reason he can control the game better than anyone else in that team. The Wallabies immediately found direction against Samoa when he came on (although it was too late) and they immediately lost direction against the Springboks when he left the field last weekend. Cooper doesn’t set the terms for either the Reds or the Wallabies and is only able to do what he does because Genia gives him the time and space. I don’t think Genia will win the Wallabies the RWC single handedly by all means, as it’s definitely all about the forwards turning up to the party, but if he isn’t there the Wallabies have got no chance.
July 28th 2011 @ 11:11am
cinematic said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Heh, spare tyre indeed.
It was no surprise that the Hurricanes found their winning ways after Weepu returned. The fact he was rushed back into the side along with his extra baggage shows his influence and value.
Ellis is frail and very much number 3 in NZ.
In any case I was disputing the “country mile”. Put it this way if Robbie had the choice of both players for the Wallabies Genia would be sharing game time with Weepu.
July 28th 2011 @ 11:20am
Jiggles said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:20am | Report comment
Fair call about the Hurricanes, their form really did pick up after he came back.
No doubt Weepu would be on the bench if he was Australian and he would get game time for sure, but I think that has a bit more to do with his ability to play 5-8 than anything else and his value as a utility, which isn’t really relevant to the discussion on pure half-back skill.
It’s interesting that Henry has gone for Cowan this weekend. Do you think that’s his preferred 9 or is it just a bit of rest and rotation? I don’t like Cowan at all, but that’s more down to the fact he seems like a twat rather than his skill as a rugby player.
July 28th 2011 @ 11:34am
darwin stubby said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Trying to compare NZ and Aust halfbacks is a bit like apples and oranges .. NZ halfback play is on the whole more of an additional loose forward / scraper whose primary function is to re-start play / move it on and go again … Aust have always searched for the more rounded game from their halfbacks …
Weepu fits the plan perfectly as a closer – someone to come on an attack the fringes when the forwards are becoming tired … Cowan sets the platform for 60mins and Weepu then takes advantage …. he’s never been great when started (look at that Sydney – he and the forwards combine to make Cruden’s job impossible)
Leonard was probably the closest we got to a more rounded halfback – but even he only really performed off the bench … our most well round 9 coming through is probably Smith from Manawatu / highlanders
July 28th 2011 @ 12:08pm
Jiggles said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
Since Marshall that is definitely the case DS. I think it has a lot to do with Carter being the long term 5-8, who just controls the game in a beautiful manner, which has allowed the NZ half-backs to be more like rugby league hookers – restarting play while looking to take their chances when they can, not really having to worry about the general direction of the team.
July 28th 2011 @ 10:48pm
Lorry said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:48pm | Report comment
yeah, I wonder if LUke Burgess is more like an NZ-style halfback?
July 28th 2011 @ 12:39pm
Handles O'Love said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
Two weeks ago, my greatest worry with the Australian team was in the centres. Since then we have had one ineffective game from McCabe and AAC, and one effective game. I am a big fan, Kef, but I think you might be drawing a long bow to say that the Wallabies have the best backline in the world. So, what do we know?
My views:
– McCabe and AAC are showing the potential to be serviceable. Neither would come close to world XV on this season’s form though.
– France last year and SAF last weekend showed that this backline has an unrivalled ability to score tries, when the defence is slow off the mark, and the forwards break even.
– We know that the number 10 is one of the worst tacklers playing at international level, but that for the last one-game-in-a-row, the Wallabies have found a way to turn that weakeness to their advantage. (and the Reds for their last 16 games)
– Ioane and O’Connor are creative, brilliant players with the ability to finish, but neither of them has express pace.
– Personally, there is no Wallaby back that I have great confidence in to contest a highball and come down with it.
How about we agree that this Wallaby backline is developing nicely. They are young, dynamic, and in have the potential to destroy anybody, on the right day. Let’s then hope that there are a number of right days in a row, this October.
July 28th 2011 @ 4:15pm
Damo said | July 28th 2011 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
Yes Handles it will be ‘what happens next’ that matters. And too often for this current regime it has been ‘not much’ after a promising win. I for one am betting that the tide has just turned.
But that cannot be held as true till consistent success belongs to the Wallabies. This conversation is way too premature. ,
July 28th 2011 @ 10:52pm
Lorry said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:52pm | Report comment
that’s true, remember how easily Campo, Chris Latham, Matt Burke and Joe Roff used to take the high balls? Is it something to do with height perhaps? How much taller are they than Drew, Digby, O’Connor, Beale?
Or did Burkey, Latho and Roff just have great hands?
Out of the current crop, who is the best under the high ball? O’Connor?
July 28th 2011 @ 12:47pm
Mango Jack said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
Best back line or not, it means nothing without an effective forward pack, as a more recent article here attests. A bit like having the chassis of a Ferrari with a Skoda donk under the hood.
July 28th 2011 @ 3:00pm
AndyS said | July 28th 2011 @ 3:00pm | Report comment
Right or wrong, I’ve no doubt that O’Connor believes him anyway. An endorsement lile that has to easily be worth another $100k a year to The Brand.