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Dave Rennie confirms positional switch on cards for James O'Connor

Australia's James O'Connor (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

It won’t happen this week but the door is open for James O’Connor to rejoin Australian rugby’s fellow prodigal son Quade Cooper back in the Wallabies’ starting XV.

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In a scenario unimaginable just a few weeks ago, and certainly in the preceding years before that when Cooper and O’Connor couldn’t even find a Super Rugby club, the two exciting former prodigies may be reunited for the Wallabies as soon as this month.

Dave Rennie on Thursday resisted calls from test great Chris Latham to pair Cooper and O’Connor in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Brisbane.

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Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper and back row forward Rob Valetini interviews

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Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper and back row forward Rob Valetini interviews

But the Wallabies coach isn’t ruling out the prospect of a fit-again O’Connor returning to the fold at fullback against Argentina on Saturday week following Cooper’s stirring and match-winning comeback against the Springboks last weekend.

Rennie said O’Connor had even been in contention to start at five-eighth this week after overcoming a groin injury before selectors opted to reward the heroes of Sunday’s 28-26 win over the world champion Springboks on the Gold Coast.

There was no bigger hero than Cooper, who slotted eight from eight with the boot, including the clutch long-range winner after the siren at Cbus Super Stadium.

But Rennie is making no secret of his desire to squeeze both ex-outcasts into Australia’s 23-man squad, if not the run-on side.

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“This is the best I’ve seen James,” said Rennie, admitting the Queensland Red was now being considered as a fullback and not just a playmaker.

“Even through Super Rugby, he never did a lot of high-speed metres. We want him to be a genuine threat at 10 if space opens up that he can attack.

“He ended up injuring a groin in preparation for the French tests (but) he’s worked extremely hard. He looks really sharp. We’re keen to get some footy into him.

“He’d be a strong contender for next week. We feel we could definitely play both those guys in the same 23. It certainly brings a lot of experience.

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“James, like Quade, has a lot of test footy under his belt. He was really impressive in our environment. He’s a cool head and you see the influence he has on the Reds. To have someone like James come back in the fold for us would be gold.”

Rennie was asked specifically if that meant fullback Tom Banks, who has endured an indifferent season starting in the No 15 jumper in all seven tests so far in 2021, was under pressure.

“Look, James has got himself into really good nick,” Rennie said.

“We would definitely not have played him at fullback a couple of months ago and prior to that because, from a high-speed running perspective, he just hasn’t had any decent numbers for the last couple of years.

“But he’s worked really hard over that last period and it’s the sharpest I’ve seen him.

“So he’s definitely back into a physical shape where we think we could use him as utility as opposed as just a 10.”

Banks knows he needs to deliver to retain his spot.

“It’s always going to happen. You’re in a Wallabies environment, everyone is competing for positions,” he said on Thursday.

“It is what it is but James is a fantastic player. He’s shown what he can do in Super Rugby so, as always, it’s going to be a competition for spots.

“You’ve just got to keep performing.”

– Darren Walton

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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