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Wallabies vice-captain Will Genia has changed tack and endorsed new halves partner James O’Connor despite warnings he’ll be exposed at five-eighth by the British and Irish Lions.
Former Lions playmaker Stuart Barnes has shone the spotlight on backline utility O’Connor’s selection at No.10, stressing Australia will lose Saturday week’s first Test with him in the pivotal position.
The Melbourne Rebels star has played just one of his 37 Tests at five-eighth – way back in December 2011 – and Barnes feels his lack of experience would make him a massive weak link against the Lions.
But Genia, who previously wished coach Robbie Deans would show faith in Reds teammate Quade Cooper, was confident O’Connor was shaping up nicely for the three-Test series.
The world-class halfback said the pair had quickly struck up a strong combination, on and off the field, in training and planning over the past two weeks.
“The good thing about James is he’s really open and he doesn’t push back,” Genia told AAP. “He’s happy to adapt and happy to learn.
“I really enjoy working with him.
“We’ve worked hard going through plays and going through the structure that we want the team to play to make sure we are on the same page.”
The underdone O’Connor has had his workload carefully managed while in camp this week due to muscle tightness, sitting out an opposed session against a Sunshine Coast club team.
As part of a cautious approach, fellow backline spark Kurtley Beale and No.8 Wycliff Palu were also rested from training on Friday morning but winger Digby Ioane did return to team training for the first time following knee surgery.
Englishman Barnes said he rated O’Connor highly as a fullback but doubted he could handle the shift to No.10 in the pressure and intensity of a Lions series.
“I just think with his lack of experience and the fact he’s so much in the traffic, the Lions will get to James O’Connor and I think that could be a massive weak link,” he said on Fox Sports’ Rugby HQ program.
Although Genia last month made it known Cooper was his preferred halves partner, and felt his Queensland teammate brought out the best in his own game, he denied he had any problems with Deans’ decision.
“As a mate, for (Cooper), it’s obviously disappointing but, once you are here, you put a line through it and you move on,” he said. “I think that’s the important thing.
“This group is here and striving to achieve something successful and you have to have buy-in from everyone.
“You can’t have guys sooking or worrying about this or that.”
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.