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James O’Connor has vowed to regain a starting spot in the Wallabies team after being named on the bench for Australia’s Rugby World Cup opener against Italy on Sunday.
The selectors have stuck with the same run on team that started the Tri-Nations title-clinching win over the All Blacks in Brisbane at their last outing.
O’Connor missed that match due to a suspension imposed for missing the Wallabies’ World Cup squad announcement.
There are three changes to the Wallabies bench for the Italy match in Auckland, with O’Connor, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and prop James Slipper replacing Rob Horne, Saia Fainga’a and Salesi Ma’afu respectively.
Slipper and Polota-Nau were each named in a Test 22 for the first time this year after missing the Wallabies’ five previous 2011 Tests due to injury.
Utility back O’Connor said he wasn’t at all disappointed at not making the starting side and that the team that started in Brisbane deserved to be picked again.
“Selection is out of my hands, it’s not up to me,” said O’Connor on Tuesday.
“All I can do is do my best on the field and so that’s where I’m going to put my hand up.
“I’ll definitely be wanting my starting spot back, but in terms of this it’s all about the team and Italy’s the first challenge.”
Asked what he needed to do get a run on spot back, O’Connor said: “Play well, train hard and do the best I can to help the starting players prepare.”
He felt he could be an asset to the Wallabies against Italy by using his speed and agility to exploit fatiguing forwards after coming of the bench.
“That’s what I’ll be looking for, some tired props and hookers,” O’Connor said.
He believed he could fill a number of positions coming off the bench, which again includes five forwards and just two backs.
“I’ve said all along I enjoy playing in the centres, even at fullback and wing, so wherever the opportunity comes,” said O’Connor, who was a starter in the last 16 of his 30 Test appearances.
“If Quadey (Quade Cooper) goes off I’m happy to put my hand up there and step into five-eighth.”
With O’Connor not starting, Cooper is expected to be the first choice goalkicker after performing that role in the last Test.
“Goalkicking is something that I’ve enjoyed doing all season,” Cooper said on Tuesday.
Australian team to play Italy: Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Radike Samo, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, James Horwill (capt), Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, James O’Connor.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.