James O’Connor has lauded an “almost magnetic” understanding between young centres Jordan Petaia and Hunter Paisami as the Wallabies prepare for their final Test of the year, against Argentina in Sydney on Saturday night.
The veteran playmaker, who is set to return from injury, said he took Paisami aside after his Wallabies squad selection and told him of the potential he saw in his pairing with Petaia.
While 20-year-old Petaia was already earmarked as an emerging superstar, Paisami, 22, has been one of the finds of 2020 after making his Super Rugby debut with Queensland and going on to play in four of five Tests so far.
O’Connor has watched their development close up at the Reds and predicted a long and successful centre partnership.
“I actually had this conversation with Hunter at the start of the campaign as the best element of what he and Jordie bring is that they complement each other,” O’Connor said on Monday.
“They can play up and down straight, they can get into wide channels, they can both hit and one of the big other things is that they have a pretty good understanding of each other.
“For me as a 10, they make my job really easy … these guys have their own ideas and they’re finding each other on the field more often then not.
“They’re gravitating towards each other, almost magnetic.”
O’Connor missed the last three Tests with a knee injury and then a foot issue, which he said he aggravated when trying to return too early so he didn’t lose his grip on the No.10 jersey.
Makeshift five-eighth Reece Hodge has excelled at five eighth in the past two games as the Wallabies posted a win over New Zealand and then a frustrating draw with the Pumas.
O’Connor remained hopeful he would get the nod for the final Test.
“You never want to give someone an opportunity in your spot and that’s why I pushed to rush back the week earlier from my injury,” the 30-year-old said.
“Hodgey has done a really good job but I’m still putting my hand up to get that No.10 jersey back.”
O’Connor said the Australians wanted to finish the year on a high and use it as a springboard into 2021 and he felt coach Dave Rennie would name a full-strength line-up.
A win will see them finish a six-match campaign with two wins, two draws and two losses.
“This game is a must-win game for us, it’s very important for our campaign and moving forward as a group,” he said.
“It’s not just finishing this campaign (well), it’s a springboard for us into next year.
“It’s not about handing out a jersey, it’s about winning this game and taking forward what we’ve learnt.”
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Lynagh's son? Is he coming here? He's already played for England Schools and lived very little, if any, of his life here. Remember too, his Mum is Italian.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Reds probably need another prop or two also .... the Smith twins are both gone now .... I wonder if Thorn has a couple of young guys being developed.
Charlie Turner
Guest
I've thought about Petaia at 15 but I've never seen him kick.....does he have length and accuracy? Flook is an excellent prospect. Jim McKay has some interesting decisions. I think you mean Vunivalu? He's a talented NRL winger but he has a history of making poor decisions in defense......
Rugby wizard
Guest
I highly doubt Stewart will lose his place,Thorn will pick what's best for the Reds even if it means dropping a Wallaby. Without Stewart the Reds defence will be weaker no doubt. The following backline might be best for the Reds,which has a similar balance to that of McKenzie's Reds,solid defensive centre pairing with lots of firepower in the back 3. 15.Petai 11.Dungunu 12.Stewart 13.Flook 14.Naivalu 10.JOC 9.Mcdermott Bench:Sorovi,Paisami,Hegarthy. No Campbell but that's not because I think he is a bad player, just that others are better.
Rugby wizard
Guest
I wonder if Thorn will go with Paisami/Petai for the Reds if everyone is fit,Stewart is a very important player and Flook I personally think could be a better centre than both Paisami and Petai. Clearly is another player who could cause major selection headaches. The reds have good depth in the backline but if they dont sign a top lock and get better cover for BPA,they might well remain the 2nd best Aussie team or even drop down to 3rd. I Would have liked Lonergan or Pollard moving to the Reds and I am surprised neither have considered moving to the Tahs or Reds,they would have gotten more game time. Smart move by Carter Gordon to move to the Rebels,he is an exceptional talent and needs to play.
MO
Guest
I am a believer in Hodge's temperament and 12 or 15 is really his position but I reckon give Banks a proper go and support at 15. He's only had a couple of starts at 15 and the rest of the backline hasn't been stable. Let's not shoot his confidence. 15 is still his to lose. If it doesn't work out then fine but he hasn't had enough chances to prove he's not up to it. It was criminal that he got no time against the might of Italy after a full tour a few years back.
Charlie Turner
Guest
I don't see Stewart as a Wallaby to be honest but I think his early development at the Reds was poorly managed. He never really got a long run at 10 which was Thorns intention prior to Lance and Hegarty. Personally I was happy to see him move to 12 as a hard running center who can straighten the attack and defend his channel in the Nathan Grey mould. He offers the skills of a second playmaker too. I hope he does well regardless of where he plays because he's a really honest player who puts it on the line every game. He was a much a part of the Reds success in Super AU as JOC or any of the other higher profile players.
Butcher
Roar Rookie
A new wing coming in means Petaia plays centre, 12 jumper looks as it could go to Paisami. Hamish Stewart is a good player, but maybe a stretch too far to be a WB. happy to be proven wrong again. But Thorn knows that Super sides do not have 15 WB's, they also need the other positions filled, the best sides have the bench and squad depth. Injuries will happen, and needs to hold onto the best of the rest. Stewart is a good footballer and worth keeping. He cover 10/12 and 15 at a stretch. The question will be, does Hamish see staying worth it?
butchersteve
Guest
They were placing Lolesio out of position in defence.
Wigeye
Guest
Yeah don't play hooper this test,let O'Conner/white co captain in a caretaker role for now or if must choose one ..put it on O'Connor this saturday :happy:
Flyman
Roar Rookie
Brown eye, Paul? :laughing:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Third eye, Paul?
Stu
Roar Rookie
Against the Argies, I’d love to see Lolesio or Harrison at 10, just to know what they have before next year arrives, and stick Paisami and Pataia at 12/13, with Hodge at 15. If anyone needs an extended run at a position, it’s him, and he’d probably be a gun at 15 if he’s given a proper long run at it. He’s too valuable to leave out, imo.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He didn’t shy away in SR. It was likely lack of confidence in his defensive role.
ethan
Guest
Too early for Lolesio at 12, especially after watching him shy away from contact in debut. When his body fills out a little more in coming years that could be his spot.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
St James O’Connor . Last year chasing Toolies at Schoolies now anointing the feet of Petaia and Paisami. What next ?
ethan
Guest
Yeah banks is a serviceable and fairly reliable fullback, but hasn't stamped any authority at international level. Would love to see Hodgey get a go there.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Stewart is pretty complete.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Still a long way to go to work out our best backline combination. My only real comment is if we continue with these 2 in the centres and I'm happy to give it a go then Banks has to be replaced ASAP. Banks is a terrific runner in Super Rugby and a quality boot but isn't enough of a playmaker from fullback for Test rugby with these centres. JOC not a good enough 10 to have all 3 in the backline.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think JOC is no longer quick enough for fullback though. If anything I'd prefer Toomua at 10 and JOC at 12. Though I'd ultimately prefer JOC on the bench and Toomua at 10 and Lolesio at 12 with the view to swap and phase Toomua out.