As the ARU’s post-mortem of the failed Lions series continues, the Australian bars, lounge rooms and chat forums are equally abuzz with speculation and ideas.
Two main areas of debate immediately followed the horror show on Saturday night. The first regarded the much maligned Robbie Deans, whose fate has now been sealed. The other question concerned the polarising Wallaby flyhalf – what to do with James O’Connor?
The Wallabies pin up man is quickly becoming the Kurt Gidley of Australian rugby. O’Connor’s versatility across positions has proven to be a benefit to his game, but like Gidley, confusion reigns over where he is best suited.
The decision to play O’Connor at flyhalf for the first Lions Test, while the experienced 10 Berrick Barnes started at fullback, had many pundits and fans scratching their heads.
After underwhelming performances in Brisbane and Melbourne, O’Connor produced his best effort to date at flyhalf on Saturday night. But it was still a sub-par effort compared to world class number 10s such as Carter, Sexton and Steyn.
Ewen McKenzie is the new Wallabies coach, and barring injury, Quade Cooper will start at 10 for the Bledisloe Cup opener on August 17.
Cooper’s critics brand him a defensive liability, and his flashiness and unpredictability is both a strength and weakness. Right they might be, but Cooper possesses a world class passing game and zen-like connection with Reds compatriot Will Genia.
The defensively sound and very fast O’Connor makes a natural fullback. His Wallaby career began on the wing and at fullback, where he performed steadily. His solo effort on the stroke of halftime in Sydney showed that running the ball, not passing, is where his true talent lies.
The other option for O’Connor is to play him at inside centre. Genia, Cooper and O’Connor would be a dangerous attacking combination for the Wallabies. However, despite an average showing in Sydney, Christian Lealiifano will be hard to dislodge from the number 12 spot. He has been outstanding for the Brumbies, and his goal-kicking has proved invaluable.
So that puts O’Connor against great mate Kurtley Beale for the fullback position. There is not room for the both of them in the starting 15.
Beale performed admirably throughout the Lions series. But flashes of brilliance were followed by ugly mistakes. It is these mistakes in Beale’s game that gives O’Connor the edge for the fullback jumper.
Reliability is a trait paramount to any world-class number 15, and an inconsistent Beale is something the Wallabies cannot afford – particularly against the All Blacks.
Like O’Connor though, Beale’s versatility is a standout feature of his game. Bringing a player with the raw skill and flare of Beale off the bench is an asset that few other international sides possess.
Also waiting in the wings, and not to be discounted, is the impressive Jesse Mogg. Knocking the door down with his Super Rugby performances, Mogg seemed undaunted on Saturday night and a promising international career beckons.
It has been a week to forget for James O’Connor. He learnt that he will not be at the Rebels in 2014. Now with Quade Cooper poised to return, his future at the Wallabies will not be at flyhalf.
He will serve his country best at fullback. Let’s hope Ewen McKenzie agrees.
Basil
Guest
9. W Genia 10. Q Cooper 11. I Folau 12. B Barnes 13. A Ashley-Cooper 14. D Ione 15. K Beale J O'Conner as a sub for impact purposes and I have K Beale there for when he gets his head straight, until that happens I would have I Folau at fullback and J O'Conner as winger, this team will lose no games at all
Just the facts
Guest
Shame that this mostly well written piece still contains the tired old lines about QC being lousy in defense and JOC being so dependable, Can I ask what people are watching in 2013? QCs defense in S15 and the QLD Lions game was notable. Just watch the second half of this weekends Tahs/Reds game - QC + NF held up the MH try, QC up ended a rushing Benn Robinson break and so on......, Time to look at the games and revise the tired story lines that are so far out of date
Michael R
Guest
Jesse Mogg's runs against the Lions reminded me of Stephen Larkham - when he 1st played fullback for AUS.
Abmerlin
Guest
Or even further away if possible! Rebels don't want, heard some damning stuff out of Perth when he was there (especially when Giteau was there) and now he treats the famous Gold (canary yellow) jersey, his team mates and the Wallaby fans with disdain! To him these things are of no consequence. From being out at 3/4am during a test week and missing the bus to training the week after and still gets to play (badly again) he has learnt that there are no consequences! I am no Mckenzie fan but I hope he sorts this prima-donna, narcissist out for the good of the team and rugby worldwide! I can assure readers that even the NH are sick of his (and others like him) behaviour (while still acknowledging his/their ability).
smithha
Roar Pro
The only comparison that I drew with Kurt was the question on what position suits them best. You are right, professionally KG is far superior..... Regarding JOC's discipline, the same point could be made to many Cooper, Ioane etc - Mckenzie will be better at player management.
Minz
Guest
It's interesting, isn't it - watching Quade. He appears to have really put the yards in for his rehab and his tackling (from the few games I've seen this year - he actually put some hits on, and not on puny players either!). I reckon he's ready for another shot, and, well, I don't think we have another 10 who has the same ball sense.
Crazy Horse
Guest
... and the Force gave him the boot because no matter what he did on the field his off field antics caused more trouble than he was worth.
Crazy Horse
Guest
The best thing that could happen to JOC is that none on the S15 teams want him and he spends a year or two on the outer. Rembering that the male brain doesn't mature until 25+ and the he is only 23 it might just bring him down to earth and turn him into a really useful team member.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Well said!
Powder Puff Scrum
Guest
That line up will still get hammered by the All Blacks
atlas
Guest
Not eligible till October, in time for EOYT his 3yrs is up
atlas
Guest
no Speight for RC SMH 1 May 2013 Fijian-born Speight will have to wait until the end of October before the International Rugby Board clears him as an Australian resident and he is eligible for the Wallabies. ''All I know is that I'm not eligible for the Lions or for the Rugby Championship, too,'' he said.
chivasdude
Guest
I have a BIG problem with comparing JOC with Kurt Gidley. Both are talented and versatile athletes for sure. But one, through his off field antics, has a history of (serial) poor behaviour and this has disenfranchised team mates and disrupted team harmony. And I don't mean Kurt Gidley who is a professional's professional. And where would you play JOC? For all his talent: (i) he has shown he is not a #10, (ii) Lealiifano has cemented #12 for a while and is the better goal kicker by a country mile, (iii) he is too small to be fullback and Mogg (let alone Beale) has arguably earned the right to be the #15, and (iv) I think there are better bigger and better wingers out there. It is time the Wallabies picked the best player for the position as opposed to trying to fit in square pegs in the proverbial. Anyway, the reality is that JOC should not be a Wallaby until he demonstrates that his attitude and discipline improves. Hell, the Rebels don't even want him and he was their franchise player. Why should the Wallabies until he straightens out?
Rolando
Guest
Let's not forget that a majority of Super Rugby coaches preferred JOC at 5/8 and no position in the squad for QC. See Telegraph 15 May. There appears to be a siege mentality in QLD so that any decisions that appear to exclude a QLD'er must be a conspiracy from the south. Unbelievable. It appears that QLD's pretty much hate southerners while southerners merely get impatient with the QLD parochialism and paranoia. I'm a QC fan and so was RD who picked QC 34 times until the letdowns became too severe. I hope Link can get Quade up to international standard, but if not then Tooma and Godwin are both great prospects.
Ian
Guest
where ever O'Connor goes next year I hope he gets consistent time in one position, be it inside centre, wing or fullback. I could also see him going to sevens for a bit.
dianne
Guest
now mckewan is wallabies coach mostly all reds players will be wallabies, and now we will see if quade cooper can handle pressure without putting knees into heads
LS
Guest
Knowing JOC personally, I don't think anything is going to "wake him up" as people keep saying. He's where he is because for too long his ego was encouraged. No one wanted to upset him becuase of a looming threat he had to run away from AUS rugby. His wake up call has to be big, shattering almost, for it to actually get through the very VERY very inflated head of his. Dropping from the Rebels won't do it, because he'll adopt the general twenty something boy attitude "I'm fantastic, they're just idiots" I think it has to be along the lines of the whole wallabies team explaining it to him. Saying he's not as taltented as he thinks anymore, there are better men, and even if he was, there's every right fo rthem all to decline to have him on board because of his attitude. Someone has to tell him you are not picked because of that mentality first and foremost. I actually think as stupid as it may sound having it come from Quade - who despite public opinion, has done all he can to lower off field trouble (I quote the Normanby incident), change his game plan, and step up a little more when required. JOC could learn from Quade. If the shoe were on the other foot last year, I think JOC would've had a far worse outburst than Quade. Which is saying something. I also don't believe JOC would've handled missing out on the Lions tour like Quade did.
Rugby is Life
Guest
Seems absolutely unprepared ot sacrifice for the team. This is a sport where team mates will sacrfice themselves on the field for their mates. If O'connor wants to play for Australia he should pay for the privilege. Not a sport for spoilt brats. Good call Rebels. Bealse needs some time away from the game to think too. Plenty of hungry players like Mogg and Toomua who have the right stuff (amd yes even Quade works hard to improve himself).
AdamS
Roar Guru
What is it that Beale did that you think makes him an auto pick for the 2(3) exactly? His not passing to an open Izzy? Ignoring Izzy the second time, or third? His useless kicking?
riccardo
Guest
I'm not so sure it's that cut and dried RedsNut. You're right of course. Both are requisites for the job but don''t necessarily define the job. He already played/has played fullback for the Waratahs; I'm sure you'll agree he has been successful there and is a part of the improvement at the franchise.. His broken-field running, kick return and/or counter attack is excellent. When he comes into the backline as a receiver he regulalrly breaks the advantage line. Now imagine him hitting that same line from deep at pace on an angle. I'm quite sure he's aware of needing to add those strings to his bow given their requirement amongst the back three anyway; I just think he could add more at full back and maybe become Cullen-like in the role.