There has been much debate over whether Robbie Deans made the correct decision in picking James O’Connor over Quade Cooper, and last night proved the decision to be completely wrong.
While O’Connor was not helped in his first game against the Lions by the injuries that decimated that Australian backline, the second and third games saw O’Connor come up against the Lions with a fully fit and functioning backline.
He flouted and failed completely as a 10.
He stood close to 12m behind the last man’s feet on attacking scrums, allowing the Lions defence all the time in the world to get up off the line and assure the Wallabies didn’t get over the advantage line.
One of Quade Cooper’s greatest attributes is his ability to stand flat in attack and still offer pin-point passes that allow his backs the opportunity to break over the advantage line.
By standing flat, Quade negates the time the opposition has to react and adjust their defence according.
O’Connor’s second issue is his running game. There is no doubt it is superb, but it is better suited to a second-receiver role where he can catch the ball to a defensive line moving backwards or sidewards.
He can use his speed and agility off the mark to turn defenders inside out, something Quade does not have the speed to do.
The third issue is O’Connor’s first step is side ways, meaning the whole line has the ability to slide straight away, and not take away the first defender.
Having your first step forward allows the first defender to be sucked in to the ball players, and sucking in the entire backline.
Quade has the ability to keep defenders alert and will always draw in the first defender, allowing more opportunity for his outside backs to flourish.
Robbie Deans has said James is improving, but why did he use the Lions series to improve him?
The biggest series in Australia since 2003 World Cup, and Deans decides to chuck in a rookie 10.
O’Connor could be a very good flyhalf, but he also could be a great fullback.
If Deans wants to keep his job and have a successful team, he needs to be able to play O’Connor, Quade and Beale in the one team.
He then needs to be able to manage them, so that each player gives 100 percent.
Quade is Australia’s best 10, everyone except Robbie Deans seems to acknowledge this.
It’s time change happened and Quade and Ewen Mckenzie take over and reform the Wallabies similar to the Reds.
Mike
Guest
Justin, please re-read my post, where I wrote: "So far I haven’t seen a single relevant stat from you." Note the word 'relevant'. "clearly you haven’t or you would have said so" Clearly, of course...
tubby
Guest
cooper did seem to improve in cutting down the dumb players last year but seems to have stalled, he may have reached his limit in that regards. JOC we know is not the answer, nor is beale. toomua or foley would easily deserve consideration now.
rabbitfan
Guest
How long was the fellas nose who told you this last night MJ?
Taya
Guest
And Golden not a bad future team like 80% of it but other players in the Reds deserve a look in ... And the Coach is ???
Taya
Guest
Derrick spot on well said !! These 3 players are super athletes and the future of great running rugby !! All they and the Wallabies need is a coach who can lead the team to the success we all desire
Josh M
Guest
The rugby topics selected by management of The Roar for priority publication and the facile responses say again to me.;Give The Roar away Josh M. And I am. Rejoice all.
Ra
Guest
The Brisbane Broncos an option Atawhai - he does reflect on his stand off role in his league days a fair bit. But before goes there, or anywhere - he's gotta do as he's told first. He'd be a great bench player.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Morahan should definitely get a look in, one of the best cover defenders I've ever seen. Hopefully the Force don't ruin him.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Well, don't you Reds fans usually rave about 'combinations' or some such drivel? That backline will have ALL the combinations. I think my only problem with this team list is that Tomane isn't there. Surely we can fit him in on the left wing instead of that other bloke with the name I don't recognise? While we're on it... That Genia fellow... He's starting to get on a bit... :)
matthew
Guest
Agree 1000 % with derrick
Justin3
Guest
Sleeping in for the rwc team announcement and not making it at all. Real respect for the jersey and his team mates. Quality bloke...
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Staying out till 4am 'not drunk' for a start....
Mike D
Guest
Pretty good choices Golden. I think there have got to be some question marks over TPN durability ove the next couple of seasons. Personally, I putting my money on Chibba Hanson to deliver the goods in a year or two (however I am an old Uni player so that might be colouring my perceptions. Also I would look to find space in there for Morahan as he ha shown a lot in the last year or two.
Roland Chan
Roar Rookie
Davies? Crazy. Davies is a speed bump on defence.
Justin3
Guest
For a start check the line out stats mike, they lost two we lost one. Pretty major part of the game. Our forward were fine, they could have been better no question. But again the attack was pretty easily covered, lack of a straight runner hurt, little variety and loose kicking were very valid factors in the loss. I'm looking at rugby heaven http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/rugby-union-match-centre/live-wallabies-v-british--irish-lions-20130705-2phe5.html?rand=1373116319468 I've watched it again, clearly you haven't or you would have said so and are running off your memory, which is clearly better than mine...
Aljay
Guest
Name one thing O'Connor has done that was not for the team. Being selected out of position is not his fault.
Red Block
Guest
So I take it you support the Brumbies seeming you've basically picked their entire back line.
Mike
Guest
"If you are to make statements mike back them up with something please." - I couldn't agree more. Like your assertion that "we were dominated at scrum time and no where else"" So far I haven't seen a single relevant stat from you. But I did watch the game and a child could see that we were worsted in terms of defence, turnovers and breakdown penalties, just to name a couple of factors. If you think our forwards had a good game apart from the scrum, then you are welcome to accept mediocre standards. "how many tries did we score that were from organised attack?" - thanks for the irrelevant question. When you have a reason for asserting that we were "clueless in attack", .let me know. "watch the match again Mike" I invite you to do the same Justin. O'Connor rarely passes to Beale (about the same as Genia does). As for going it alone, when he did this it was generally the correct decision.
fredstone
Guest
Yes, good thinking, the wobblies are about what three guys bring to the team... QC wouldn't have gotten another game ever if he was a AB, and the other two would've been marginal at best
Marc Johno
Guest
I heard last night that Deans actually wanted to pick Quade Cooper for the BIL series but his three assistants threatened to all resign if he selected QC so Deans rolled over and demurred to his assistants -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.