Teenager's 'wildest dreams' come true
Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:57
Special skills: James O'Connor playing for the Australian Sevens team
Western Force teenager James O'Connor, the bolter in Robbie Deans's 34-man Wallaby squad for the year-end tour to Hong Kong and Europe, has described his selection as his "wildest dreams" coming true.
Speaking at the media briefing after the team announcement in Sydney the 18-year-old midfielder, who will become the second youngest player to play for the Wallabies behind Brian Ford, spoke of his dash from Queensland's Stradbroke Island when he received word of his shock selection on Sunday.
"Amazing, overwhelming really, I still can't believe," is how he expressed his feelings.
"It's happened so quickly," he said, adding: "I was out with some of my mates when I got the call just three hours before I had to board the flight. It was a bit of a frenzy to get to the airport."
He said he first thought that somebody was playing a prank on him.
"My mate told me first that my parents were trying to get hold of me, he said something about the Wallabies and I said: 'Ah, yeah [not believing them]'."
Despite having now attended his first formal media conference, the reality of it all has not fully sunk in yet.
He admitted that when he played for Australian Schoolboys last year, he did not think his progress to the senior ranks would be so rapid.
"Not in my wildest dreams," he said when asked if he thought he would be touring with the Wallabies this year.
"It was always a goal of mine [playing for the Wallabies], but a lot further down the track. I first wanted to focus on getting into the Super 14 and cementing my spot, but it's already happening, wow."
Although still coming to terms with his inclusion, O'Connor declared himself ready for the international arena.
"I've experienced Super 14 level and I just want see if I can make that step up," he said.
"I've seen [Matt] Giteau and all those guys at [Western Force] training so I just want to watch some of the other players and just learn from them, pick up some of their skills and knowledge that they have to offer me."
But the magnitude of Test selection is not lost on the confident teenager.
"If I get the chance to put on the Australian jersey it'll be an honour, especially knowing that I'm one of the youngest guys ever, that'd be overwhelming."
Coach Deans said of O'Connor: "He's what you'd probably describe as a talent right now.
"He's capable of playing in a number of positions but we don't tend to stress too much over those details, they solve themselves over time.
"But the opportunity for him now is to add to his skill-set and to learn some team skills because essentially talent gets you into this position but then it's your ability to work with the people around you, and off the people around you, that will be the point of difference."
