Switch James O’Connor to halfback
Columnist By David Lord, 11 Sep 2012 David Lord is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- James OConnor, Rugby Union, wallabies
James O’Connor made an interesting comment yesterday, predicting Rebel team-mate Nick Phipps would excel on Saturday as injured Will Genia’s replacement against the Pumas.
If only.
Genia’s ruptured cruciate sees the skipper off the park for six months, by far the most devastating team-wise among the 30 injuries suffered by the Wallabies and franchises this year.
But Phipps isn’t the answer.
He’s a “double pumper” deliverer, and a bit slow off the mark. His side-kick Brett Sheehan all froth and bubble, his bark worse than his bite.
No, it’s Genia and daylight.
Unless James O’Connor is the new Wallaby halfback for the rest of the year.
Before the brickbats are airborne, think about it.
O’Connor is a very gifted footballer. He can play any position in the backline, so why not No 9?
He thrives on being right in the thick of the action, he reads the game well, has an accurate pass, and can tackle.
What more do you want from your Wallaby halfback?
The positional switch also gives coach Robbie Deans the chance to have all his best available players on the paddock from the kick-off.
O’Connor is due back in a fortnight after 15 weeks rehab recovering from serious liver and hamstring injuries, so Phipps has to play against the Pumas anyway.
But for the brutal South Africa-Argentina final leg of the Rugby Championship, O’Connor will be there.
Barring more injuries, heaven forbid, O’Connor, Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Fainga’a, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Dom Shipperley, and Kurtley Beale will all be on tour – and 10 doesn’t go into seven.
The biggest problem is what to do with Berrick Barnes. His goal-kicking is superb, making him a must selection, but his kicking in general play makes him an automatic benchman at best.
With Cooper entrenched at 10, and Barnes at 12, what does Deans do with McCabe, a far better 12?
Push Barnes out to 13, then what to do with Ashley-Cooper, the Wallabies most consistent back, especially under the high ball?
Push him out to the wing to replace Shipperley, who did nothing wrong on debut last week and deserves to retain his place?
Lots of questions but not too many answers.
It all starts with James O’Connor as halfback. Dramatic times demand dramatic decisions.
But in my book, there’s nothing dramatic about switching O’Connor. It’s common sense and very positive.
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- Explore:
- James OConnor, Rugby Union, wallabies
September 11th 2012 @ 7:10am
Deez said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:10am | Report comment
I often disagree with some of your thoughts Lordy but I rather like this one. In a similar vein to what was trialled a few years back with Giteau, having a sharp passer and running threat at 9 really changes the minds in defense. Particularly given Nic White is done for the season, I’d be tempted to try it out for O’Conner, although realistically just to prime him for a super sub role when Genia comes back (I really like JOC as a super sub vs an 80 min starter).
September 11th 2012 @ 9:06am
sheek said | September 11th 2012 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Good morning David,
Unlike Deez, I often agree with you but on this occasion I reckon you might have ate or drank something disagreeable last night!
Don’t like the idea of James O’Connor at scrumhalf at all.
I’m willing to give Nick Phipps the benefit of the doubt. Possibly all he needs is the confidence of game time out in the middle. At least he knows how to scramble behind a pack that isn’t dominating (with all due respect to the Rebels)!!
September 12th 2012 @ 12:00pm
Jokerman said | September 12th 2012 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
O’Conner at half back? That is so silly. Even if he could somehow adapt to it, you lose out on his original position where he is more suited and excels.
Dan Carter at number 8!!? McCaw at second five!!? David Lord as an impact player!!??
September 11th 2012 @ 7:13am
Uncle Argyle said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:13am | Report comment
McKibbon can kick goals?
September 11th 2012 @ 10:18am
Harry said | September 11th 2012 @ 10:18am | Report comment
Yes, should be in instead of sheehan, if he’s fit.
But some merit in David’s idea. Now if only we had a 3rd tier comp where he could play at least a cpouple of games at 9 before tyring it out n a test match.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:19am
Demers said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:19am | Report comment
DAVID – agreed Barnes has to be there, but why not move him to FB? He’d be replacing a badly out of form Beale. But Deans would have to convince him to kick for territory only and not try any cute dinks into empty spaces that never end up being empty.
JOC at 9? Giteau did a fair job there and might have got the job if he hadn’t loudly complained about the shift. JOC would be particularly effective looping around a Samo pickup. A revamped backline of JOC, Quade, AAC, Cummins, Ioane, Shipperley, Barnes might have some bite to it, specially if Quade stops playing beach rugby.
BTW – I tore strips off you for backing the Wallabies over the Boks. You were right, I was wrong. God, I’m noble.
September 11th 2012 @ 9:10am
jameswm said | September 11th 2012 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Giteau played extensively at 9 as a youngster
September 11th 2012 @ 11:45am
El Gamba said | September 11th 2012 @ 11:45am | Report comment
And still wasn’t quick enough onto the ball in his cameo’s. This should have put paid to the idea.
AAC must remain at 13 after his performance, build the backline around him there and stop pandering to the twitterers.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:20am
moaman said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:20am | Report comment
I often disagree with many of your thoughts,Lordy,and this is another occasion.
Unless the guy has had extensive experience at 9—to throw him in there in an international would be absolutely rediculous.
Los Pumas put intensive pressure on Aaron Smith—how would a complete novice go>>?
September 11th 2012 @ 11:34am
Happy Hooker said | September 11th 2012 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Spot on moaman. The proposition seems to be there is no evidence he can’t play half, so stick him in.
Ludicrous!
Perhaps we stick him in the front row to fix our scrum.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:38am
Riccardo said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:38am | Report comment
Lordy,
I understand the current conundrum means the occasional oddball suggestion may be thrown about but to expose JOC at scrumhalf in the heat of International football is foolhardy indeed. Particularly as he is coming back from such a long injury break.
Los Pumas are going to bring it this weekend, as they did in Wellington. They are a strong team with a big pack and they are improving every game they play at this level. To underestimate them will mean a Wallaby loss. You suggestion smacks of underestimation IMO.
I remain astonished that White wasn’t the back-up for Will anyway. He offers a better kicking game and was clearly the incumbent for that role based on the Brumbies performances this Super Rugby Season.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:45am
Rob9 said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:45am | Report comment
Whites already in the casualty ward…
September 11th 2012 @ 8:14am
Riccardo said | September 11th 2012 @ 8:14am | Report comment
Thanks Rob,
From Brett’s article this morning: “Aside from the evident captain’s curse, spare a thought for Nic White.
My understanding of his situation is that after being ruled out of the first Bledisloe with a shoulder complaint, White was then asked to go back a prove his fitness with Queanbeyan.
He duly did, and indeed, kicked them into a semi-final on the back of 80 dominant minutes.
He was then overlooked for the South African Test again as a reward, and with no apparent objection or suggestion otherwise, he had a shoulder reconstruction last Thursday.”
September 11th 2012 @ 10:27am
Rob9 said | September 11th 2012 @ 10:27am | Report comment
Yea that situation should have been managed a lot better. I agree, White is the best Genia backup we have in the country right now and decisions should have been made with that in mind.
September 11th 2012 @ 3:54pm
Wilson said | September 11th 2012 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
Typical Deans. He used to do it to Matt Hodgson all the time. He’d say that the mid week games would result in those who performed getting game time. Matt got man of the match twice and still was left out of the 22 and othersw who under performed in the back row got starts. Typical Deans. Says one thing and does whatever he always wanted to anyway.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:39am
Dasher said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:39am | Report comment
Nick Phipps was the halfback for one of the most successful Australian Sevens teams in about 20 years. I think he’ll be up to scratch.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:44am
ohtani's jacket said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:44am | Report comment
If Deans had bothered to develop a back-up halfback instead of playing Genia every minute of every game, Genia’s injury wouldn’t have been a problem and the Wallabies would be a lot stronger. Shipperley, Hooper and Timani are proving it’s not a cattle issue with this team but poor selecting. It takes an injury for Deans to bumble upon any half decent player. If everyone else gets injured from now until the rest of the year perhaps the Wallabies will be better next season.
September 11th 2012 @ 8:01am
TembaVJ said | September 11th 2012 @ 8:01am | Report comment
Very true OJ, I think hanging on by your nails makes it hard to clearly think about the future.
Phipps is an awesome player that gets better with confidence, I have no doubt he will be in the mix for years to come but expecting him to fill Ginia’s shoes from get go is big.
I have watched Phipps at the rebels and he is everything but slow, his average time in getting to rucks must be one of the fastest. He takes on the line and distributes perfectly. Lately Ginia starts doing 2 step Greaghan’s in the last quarter.
September 11th 2012 @ 8:36am
Blue Blood said | September 11th 2012 @ 8:36am | Report comment
Agreed! If Deans would learn to rest and rotate key cattle we would have the depth of players with international experience we need. His lack of rotation and in the past complete lack of bench use has been his biggest failing.
His next biggest failing is selecting out of form and fitness players on long past performance. The Brand walking back in at all this year is a clear example of this. He has not a minute of match fitness and his last form patch was during the RWC. He’s been inconsistent at the Rebels and far from valid Wallaby selection.
But I am not surprised. He is an untouchable and will always get the love of ever faithful uncle Robbie. Excuse me while I barf.
September 11th 2012 @ 9:40am
Hurl said | September 11th 2012 @ 9:40am | Report comment
I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets injured again. But I wonder if it is Deans who is selecting the untouchables as you call them.
I understand that the likes of O Conner, Mitchell, Beale, Cooper, Genia, amonst others have a substanial top up from the ARU. Maybe he’s under pressure from O’Neil who wants to maximise the unions investment in these players. Just a thought !
September 11th 2012 @ 10:07am
ohtani's jacket said | September 11th 2012 @ 10:07am | Report comment
That’s undoubtedly true, but does he have to play them the full 80? That’s the question.
September 11th 2012 @ 11:41am
El Gamba said | September 11th 2012 @ 11:41am | Report comment
There have been games where he played Genia for 80 even when comfortably ahead so you are right there OJ (may have been a while though!)
A massive issue is the old 3rd tier conundrum. The reality is that no-one in Australia is match fit for international level. Even the Argies will have a better chance at finding match fit replacements as required.
September 11th 2012 @ 4:01pm
Wilson said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:01pm | Report comment
See I question that theory. I’ve even asked a number of players (current and recent wallabies) and a recent assistant coach about who picks the squad and teams, and all without hesitation and without looking for a PC answer said that it was Deans. His head on the block, so his decisions. He has soft spots for people and nothing will change that in his eyes. I think perhaps he thinks that if he sticks with them long enough and proves he was right then all will be forgiven and he’ll be seen as a super coach. I just don’t see it coming off that way Deans. The untouchables is a name given to them by other Wallabies who are non too pleased with their rockstar attitudes and that they get away with so much more than others. If other less favoured players did half of what these guys did they’d just never get a call up again. Shameful favourtism that isn’t even justified by amazing performances.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:27pm
ohtani's jacket said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:27pm | Report comment
Fair enough, but it makes Deans’ relationship with the Coopers and Beales and O’Connors rather difficult to understand. He drops them, he drops them not.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:47am
Nick said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:47am | Report comment
If JOC can pass swiftly off the deck off both sides (a core pre-requisite) then I’d definitely consider this as there is day a massive gap between genia and the rest and the next best has just had his shoulder operated on…Nic White.
Lordy – to suggest Barnes at 13 is just ridiculous. Firstly we need to stop moving AAC and 13 is his best position. Barnes has a very mediocre running game, currently he clearly lacks confidence and this is indicated by his first instinct to kick nearly every time. He is not the offensive tackler which you need at 13 as well. His passing game is also not consistent, two examples on Sat – poor pass to AAC when in space early in the first half and another time cutting out AAC to Beale he threw the pass behind Beale and stunted the Wallabies momentum. It’s simply not enough to be accurate from the kicking tee to hold him in the side.
I’m sorry but JOC must be given the 12 jumper. McCabe, brings great physicality, solid defence and even better communication but can sit on the bench, covers 12, 13 & 11/14. JOC gives you what Barnes has (equally as good general kicking game and solid from the tee) but more importantly a far better running game. Don’t pick on his defence at test level, when has he failed us, never…if anything he is definitely more offensive than Barnes.
See you later Barnes. He’s stifiled our attack so much, he has to go.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:47am
wal said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:47am | Report comment
Totally agree with the comment made “novice half back”, i thought the post writer is a “novice rugby brain” lol, joc hasn’t even played for months and your throwing him in the den already!, who cares what joc says, what selection credentials does he have, he’s just a player, so keep the players comments out and talk sense my friend…chur chur!
September 11th 2012 @ 7:51am
katzilla said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:51am | Report comment
I’d like to see him on the wing in a Shane Williams type role