He’s started just one Test for the Wallabies at five-eighth, but James O’Connor will be given first crack at the British and Irish Lions in the hotly-contested No.10 jumper.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans on Sunday confirmed as much when he named O’Connor, Berrick Barnes and uncapped Brumby Christian Lealiifano as his midfield generals and omitted Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale from his initial 25-man squad to tackle the Lions.
While he didn’t rule out recalling Cooper and/or Beale when he finalises his 31-man squad on June 11, Deans nominated O’Connor as his first-choice flyhalf.
“He wasn’t available for us at any stage last year. Last time he played at 10 against Wales at the end of 2011, he did a very good job,” Deans said.
“In the outings that he’s had, he’s just got the components that we’re looking for.
“He’s clearly a bloke who traumatises defences. He keeps the attack square, which provides opportunities for the channels around him.”
Deans was unconcerned about O’Connor’s limited experience at five-eighth, not only internationally but also at Super Rugby level.
“None of our five-eighths have had consistent time at international level over the past couple of years, so that’s been an element of frustration for us,” he said.
“But the great thing is we’ve got a number who are capable of playing at that level and it’s just a matter of identifying which one serves the team’s needs best – and in the first instance James has got that opportunity.”
Deans threw out the challenge to Cooper to deliver against the Lions when the Queensland Reds host the tourists in Brisbane on June 8 and also said Beale remained a hope of forcing his way into the squad once he emerged from a rehabilitation clinic to treat his alcohol issues.
“The key thing for Kurtley at this stage is his wellbeing obviously,” the coach said.
“He’s taken the initiative to put himself through a rehab process and that’s a great step. It’s a great piece of encouragement to be honest. So he’s got a chance.
“But he’s got to get through that process first. It will be a matter of monitoring his physical and mental state and we’ll go from there.
“There’s no point second-guessing from a distance.”
Deans said code-hopping star Israel Folau had the inside running for the fullback role after edging out the Brumbies’ Jesse Mogg, but that the former Kangaroo may also be considered for a wing spot.
“He’s played predominately at fullback at Super Rugby level, so that’s been his experience in the game,” Deans said.
“But we are familiar with the fact that he’s played international league obviously on the end of the line and there are a lot of consistent components to that, so he does have that capability.”