Force to nurture O'Connor
Sun, 04 May 2008 08:31
Western Force coach John Mitchell has promised to look after impressive rookie James O'Connor if he stays in Perth.
Becoming the youngest debutant in Super 14 history, at 17 years and 303 days, the diminutive O'Connor did more than enough during the Force's 22-21 victory over the Chiefs on Saturday to justify the hype that has surrounded his early career.
The teenager could play for all three SANZAR countries and is also wanted by another code.
And with his one-year rookie contract at the Force coming to an end, and interest from the Reds and the National Rugby League, agent Anthony Piccone will no doubt be fielding plenty of calls in the coming weeks.
"Certainly a second ball player brings benefits to your game. He has to be admired, the fact he did not show any anxiety at all in the preparation leading up to the game or during the game," Mitchell said.
"There is a still a lot of development there, but he has got a lot of courage.
"He is lucky to be starting at that age, because there are a lot of good players around. But for him it will be how he uses the experience now, and gets better.
"This is the starting point in his rugby career, and starting so early can often be the hardest way to sustain performance. We will look after him."
Targeted by Chiefs runners and with the high ball, O'Connor's performance grew in confidence - with a second half step and burst setting up James Stannard's try.
And after watching his hero and mentor Matt Giteau slot the after-the-siren penalty to give the Force the points, O'Connor said he relished the experience.
"It was awesome. I was a bit nervous at the start but once I got in there, first tackle, and got into the game [it was okay]," O'Connor said.
"The first tackle is always the toughest, and I find that when I can focus on my defensive game, the attack will come.
"It was a really tough game and my legs were dead after halftime, but in the second half Gits fed me some good ball, and it opened up so I just had a crack."
The finish to the game was so frantic skipper Nathan Sharpe admitted he was not aware of the penalty advantage which allowed Giteau to kick the winning points - and Mitchell said he thought the team had drawn rather than won.
"My coaching group were all pretty excited, and surprised there was not a lot of emotion from me because I thought it was a draw," Mitchell said.
And while Sharpe was full of admiration for O'Connor, he also had high praise for another debutant, prop Kieran Longbottom, who became the first genuine West Australian product to graduate from juniors to the Force XV.
With the Force still mathematically in the semi-final hunt, they travel to New Zealand on Wednesday ahead of a clash with the Hurricanes on Friday.
But they will have to do so without winger Nick Cummins, who is feared to have broken a bone in his left leg and prop Pek Cowan, who suffered an horrific compound dislocation of a thumb.
