One of the potential stars of the 2013 Lions tour to Australia could be making a shock positional switch this season.
Wallaby youngster James O’Connor is fast becoming one of the standout names in the global game having made his international debut as an 18-year-old in 2008.
O’Connor is one of a host of mercurial talents taking the Wallaby set up by storm and is understandably seen as one of the rocks upon which Australian Rugby will attempt to build a world beating squad over the coming seasons.
The 20-year-old has predominantly been employed as a wing or full back for the national side but his natural footballing abilities have often seen him linked to a stint at outside-half.
O’Connor wore the No10 shirt in Western Force’s trial match against the Australian Barbarians before playing an hour in the same position in his club side’s final pre-season warm up at the weekend.
And while Force head coach Richard Graham has refused to confirm whether O’Connor will be his chosen pivot this season, he appears to be in line to start in that position against the Reds this weekend.
"He's a good footballer isn't he? I don't think it matters where he plays, he's going to ask a lot of questions," Graham told Australian Associated Press.
"He'll take a lot out of that game and it will certainly give him an indication of where he needs to improve if he is to play in the front line fulltime."
