Wallabies v All Blacks: James O’Connor gets the nod for Bledisloe game 1
James O’Connor is a step closer to righting the wrongs of the past with the former bad boy poised to make his first Wallabies start in six years. All Blacks have made several changes to their team
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The Wallabies have rolled the dice with former bad boy James O’Connor as they juggle World Cup aspirations with Bledisloe Cup glory against the All Blacks.
As revealed by the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, O’Connor is set to play outside centre for their clash with New Zealand in Perth on Saturday night, in his first start in six years.
“It’s such an opportunity to be able to play for your country and there’s definitely something building here nicely,” he said.
SELECTION OVERHAUL: WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE WALLABIES
WHAT: Australia vs New Zealand
WHEN: August 10, 2019
TIME: 7:45pm AEDT
STREAM : Live stream All Blacks v Wallabies in The Bledisloe Cup on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“I’m just so grateful to be involved.
“I’m not a boy anymore.
“I’ve spent six years in the wilderness, found myself, developed and learned a lot about rugby and a lot off the field as well.
“I guess I know what’s important to me now and this is it.”
With the Wallabies struggling to convert dominant possession and opportunities into points in their Rugby Championship clashes with South Africa and Argentina, coach Michael Cheika has decided to bring another ball-player into his backline to replace outside centre Tevita Kuridrani.
Grand slam-winning captain Andrew Slack, who is a former Wallabies selector said that O’Connor needed a chance to prove himself for World Cup selection after only getting 10 minutes off the bench in the Wallabies win over Argentina in Brisbane.
He said that O’Connor should even be a considered as an option at five-eighth, should Christian Lealiifano or Bernard Foley not rise to the occasion ahead of the World Cup.
“I certainly think O’Connor should play a role in the game,” Slack said. “I don’t think they’d go for O’Connor at 10 although that’s what he was originally and should nothing show up with Christian or Bernard playing particularly well in the few games we’ve got, he may be worth a punt at 10.”
BREAKING l Your Qantas #Wallabies team to face New Zealand in the opening Bledisloe Cup clash!
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) August 8, 2019
READ: https://t.co/uAvo5hnHhr
Watch live on @FOXSportsAUS, @kayosports & free to air on @Channel10AU, Saturday night, 5.45PM AWST (7:45pm AEST).#GoldBlooded #AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/P5RgvSKUPO
WALLABIES 15. Kurtley Beale 14. Marika Koroibete 13. James O’Connor 12. Samu Kerevi 11. Reece Hodge 10. Christian Lealiifano 9. Nic White 8. Isi Naisarani 7. Michael Hooper (captain) 6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 5. Rory Arnold 4. Izack Rodda 3. Allan Alaalatoa 2. Tolu Latu 1. Scott Sio.
Reserves: 16. Folau Fainga’a 17. James Slipper 18. Taniela Tupou 19. Adam Coleman 20. Luke Jones 21. Will Genia 22. Matt Toomua 23. Tom Banks.
ALL BLACKS:
1. Joe Moody (38) 2. Dane Coles (62) 3. Owen Franks (107) 4. Scott Barrett (29) 5. Samuel Whitelock (109) 6. Ardie Savea (36) 7. Sam Cane (61) 8. Kieran Read - captain (119) 9. Aaron Smith (84) 10. Richie Mo’unga (10) 11. Rieko Ioane (25) 12. Anton Lienert-Brown (35) 13. Jack Goodhue (8) 14. Ben Smith (78) 15. Beauden Barrett (75)
Reserves 16. Codie Taylor (42) 17. Atu Moli (1) 18. Angus Ta’avao (5) 19 .Patrick Tuipulotu (22) 20. Matt Todd (18) 21. TJ Perenara (56) 22. Ngani Laumape (11) 23. George Bridge (2)
BREAKING | Your Buildcorp #Wallaroos team to face the Black Ferns this weekend!
— Wallaroos (@WallaroosRugby) August 8, 2019
Read more: https://t.co/dpVPxMKNaG#GoldBlooded #AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/T6YeT6eaf8
Originally published as Wallabies v All Blacks: James O’Connor gets the nod for Bledisloe game 1