The Tri-Nations squad selected by Australian coach Robbie Deans is young and full of promise. Here’s a guide to three players JOE thinks could have a big impact.
Of all three sides competing in the Tri-Nations, Australia are perhaps the weakest right now, with their injury hit squad failing to impress in the recent tests against England and Ireland on home soil.
There is plenty of potential in Robbie Deans’ squad, however, potential he will hope to harness in time for the Rugby World Cup next year. Here are three of the youngsters in the Wallabies squad for their Tri-Nations campaign, which begins against South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday (24 July) that could have a big impact on the Australian side for years to come.
David Pocock
The mobile, Zimbabwe born loose forward made a massive impact in the drawn Test match against Ireland in Croke Park last November when he won the man of the match award. Later in that tour, Pocock put his own thumb back in place after dislocating it during the first half of an encounter with Wales, but was withdrawn by the management at half-time.
Pocock, who like O’Connor plays his rugby with Western Force, is known for his ferocious strength; in fact he set a record at Western Force when he managed to bench press 170 kg, which is the equivalent of roughly 27 stone. Since making his debut against New Zealand in 2008, he has represented his country 15 times and has become a fixture in the number seven jersey he inherited from Wallaby legend George Smith.
James O’Connor
Just gone 20 years old, the very Irish sounding James O’Connor has already racked up 17 caps for his country after becoming the second youngest player ever to be selected for the Wallabies when he made his debut against Italy two years ago.
He has played all of those games at full back, but is an extremely versatile performer and has played at both inside centre and fly half for his club, Western Force and is expected to don the number 12 shirt at some stage in his Wallaby career.
O’Connor, who was eligible for all three Tri-Nations sides due to his New Zealand born parents and South African mother, is an elusive runner with a thumping right boot. He has scored four tries already in his relatively brief time with the national team, including three against Italy in June of last year when he became the youngest ever scorer of an international test hat-trick.
Quade Cooper
Highly impressive in the defeat of Ireland last month, Quade Cooper is arguably the most complete number ten behind Dan Carter in world rugby at the moment. Cooper ran the show that evening in Brisbane, scoring one try of his own and proving to be the catalyst in most of the good rugby that the Wallabies managed to put together.
Cooper plays his rugby for the Queensland Reds and is of New Zealand Maori descent, but has been a feature in Australia’s senior set up since making his debut against Italy two years ago. He was particularly impressive in the tour of the northern hemisphere last year, where he showed he was adept as an inside centre as well as an out half. He sometimes has problems with the consistency of his kicking, but with Matt Giteau and O’Connor also in the Wallaby line-up, it isn’t always much of an issue.
Despite his talent, however, Cooper is a controversial character, having been banned from the roads for driving without a license, been disciplined by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) for engaging in a food fight while in the team hotel in Canberra and also been charged with burglary, charges which were struck out by Southport Magistrates Court last week.
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