Wallabies great Matt Burke has urged Adam Ashley-Cooper to make a stand and ditch his utility tag to cement his position as Australia’s premier fullback.
Burke, hailed as the world’s best fullback for much of his long reign in the Australian No.15 jumper, has no doubt Ashley-Cooper is the man for the job, even though teenage star James O’Connor has played several Tests there this year.
And the 1999 World Cup winner believes Ashley-Cooper, who has again also filled gaps at centre and wing for the Brumbies and Wallabies in 2009, must tell selectors he wants to only play at fullback.
“I think the best person for the job is Ashley-Cooper, no doubt about it,” Burke told AAP.
“He’s safe under the high ball, got a great step, runs the ball back well. Unfortunately his demise is he’s too good everywhere else.
“Sometimes you become a jack of all trades and a specialist of none.
“I think he needs to sit and say: `I want to play 15 and 15 only’.
“The other guy coming through in O’Connor, played well, yes, had a glorious start – but you need to produce that week-in, week-out and against the South Africas, and the New Zealands, which is quite a tough ask.
“I think he’s (Ashley-Cooper) got to get a bit selfish and say `I want to play 15, I don’t want to play wing, 13 and 12 now, because it’s not doing me any favours’.”
Burke says 19-year-old O’Connor would be better served learning his trade at Test level off the bench for the Wallabies, or even slotting in inside centre alongside former Western Force teammate Matt Giteau.
“When (Berrick) Barnes went down I thought they would have put him at 12,” he said.
“He’s played 12 at the Force with Giteau and having that combination would have been quite good for him.
“Fifteen is a lonely spot sometimes, you can be out there by yourself and no doubt they’re going to stick up high balls and try and bash you at the same time.
“There’s no doubt he (O’Connor) is a courageous player, does well and you can see he’s fast on his feet and the rest of it.
“But … that age factor comes into it a little bit, and making the right decisions at one level and then going to the next level just is sometimes a little bit different.
“He will get there no doubt about it. He’s a special player, but perhaps the best way for him to experience a Test match at the highest level is coming off the bench.”
TommyM
Guest
I would say JOC will play at 12 again (where he prefers to play), or possibly on the wing. With Mitchell gone, I would think Cam Shepherd has 15 sewn up. Some interesting options for the Force though with lots of experience and versatility in their backs next year. Not sure on AAC at 15 for the Brumbies. I wonder if they may play Leileafano (sp.?) there with Toomua at 10 and Gits in his proper position of 12. AAC at 13 or wing for mine (with Smith at 13)
Campbell Watts
Guest
Greg I agree regarding O'Connor and where he'll play. I must admit I'd rather see Shep at fullback - his size, height and big boot make him more suited than O'C to the modern roll of fullback. A pairing of Pretorius and O'C puts two pretty small blokes together and creates a big attacking corridor for big loosies or centres to exploit. How about O'C on the wing??? Al la twinkle toes Shane Williams.
Chris Beck
Guest
This debate about Ashley-Cooper reminds me of Taine Randell, who I always liked as a player. Various coaches could never seem to decide where to put Randell in the back row. Lindsay Knight's writeup on the NZ Rugby Museum site hypothesizes that being good at multiple positions is not good for the longevity of a representative career.
Greg Russell
Roar Guru
I don't care whether AAC ends up at 15 or 13 or even on a wing, but Burke is correct that he has to make a decision to specialize in a position and stick to it. Interestingly, the decision will probably be made for him: Gerrard (this season's 15) has left the Brumbies and Mortlock is still on their books, so it's highly likely that AAC will have to play 15 for the Brumbies next year. Once he's playing there for the Brumbies every week, it would seem logical to continue in that position for the Wallabies. What will also be interesting is where O'Connor plays for the Force next year. At 12 outside Pretorius, or at 15 with Shepherd on the wing?
TommyM
Guest
Not sure if others have seen it, but I watched a video blog a few young guys are making that are following the Wallabies tour. They did an interview with AAC, Drew Mitchell and Gits over coffee in Ireland and asked each where they preferred to play. Gits unsurprisingly said 10. Mitchell said wing or 15 depending on the game, but most interestingly AAC said he actually preferred to play on the wing where he had more license to 'pop up wherever'. I, like others always presumed he's end up at 13 and that he would prefer that, but there you go. Agree with you James that Cam Shepherd is a better fullback who will regain his spot if fit. AAC has got to be in the team though- on the wing, 15 or out-centre. There's certainly going to be some selection dilemmas for Deans in the next few years in the backs though with Shepherd and Barnes back, and potentially Mark Gasnier in the frame!. Long may it last :-)
Jameswm
Guest
Interesting thoughts Burkey, but I think 13 is AAC's best position. If Cam Shepherd ever gets fit, he can play 15, with Digby on one wing and Hynes or Turner on the other.
Matt
Guest
I have been saying for some time that AAC is our most consistent back (over the course of the last 10 games). Especially in the wake of (early season) criticism that AAC was not a test standard player, I think he has stood out as the most solid and dependable back in the whole team.
Blacky
Guest
It's not just AC who needs to make a stand. It's time for the whole Wallaby squad to become more settled and to start playing the same squad for longer than just a few tests in a row. Even though this current squad selection is due to injuries of some other key playes (Sharpe, Barnes, Mortlock), you can already see after a couple of matches that they are begining to gel. They played much better against Ireland than against England (minus the kicking). Surely this is due to training sessions involving the same players and also the players themselves becoming comfortable with the guy next to him. I think this is already exemplified by the forwards display this season. They have been together for a while now and they are really looking good. Probably the best Aussie pack this decade.