O’Connor back to pull strings for struggling Wallabies
Ian Chadband |
Veteran playmaker James O’Connor has been called on to take the reins of the ailing Wallabies, handed back the No.10 shirt as they seek to rescue their crumbling season against Ireland in Dublin.
As Joe Schmidt returns for the last time with the Wallabies to the city where he’s revered as perhaps Ireland’s greatest coach, he’s turned to the steadying hand of 35-year-old “Peter Pan” O’Connor to inspire a desperately needed rejuvenation on Saturday.
Having lost five of their last six matches and coming off dismal defeats to England and Italy, Schmidt will hope O’Connor, who orchestrated Australia’s amazing win over the world champion Springboks at Ellis Park, can work wonders again.
In the ever-revolving door of Wallaby number 10s — five different starting fly-halves have been employed this year — the English-based pivot comes in for Carter Gordon, who suffered quad tightness in the loss to Italy and is left out of the 23.
Tane Edmed, who lost his place to Gordon after his own disappointing performance against England, is again on the replacements bench.
Player of the year Len Ikitau, another English-based star, is also a key returnee at Lansdowne Road as he resumes his centre partnership with Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii for the 12th time in the Wallabies’ last 16 Tests.
Winger Max Jorgensen has been selected ahead of Andrew Kellaway as fullback in Dublin, with the Wallabies looking to reignite their stuttering attack as they seek to nail down a top-six ranking spot which will be crucial in the upcoming World Cup draw.
In the front row, Allan Alaalatoa also returns to the starting XV, with the added boost of fellow prop Angus Bell being fit to start.
There’s a reshuffle behind them with Tom Hooper shifting to lock alongside Jeremy Williams, while Rob Valetini starts at blindside flanker to join familiar forces with Fraser McReight and skipper Harry Wilson in the back row.
Lock Nick Frost shifts to an impact role off the bench, with Carlo Tizzano, fit again after recent injury niggles, coming in as back-row cover.
Wallabies team
1. Angus Bell, 2. Matt Faessler, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Jeremy Williams, 5. Tom Hooper, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson; 9. Jake Gordon, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Harry Potter, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Max Jorgensen.
Replacements: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Andrew Kellaway.
AAP
