O’Connor to bounce back

James O'Connor has been backed to bounce back from his nightmare against Melbourne Rebels in the Super 15 last weekend. [more]

O’Connor to bounce back

James O’Connor has been backed to bounce back from his nightmare against Melbourne Rebels in the Super 15 last weekend.

O'Connor is usually deadly accurate with the boot but his radar was well off target in the 26-25 loss.

The utility-back, currently plying his trade at 10, missed several costly shots at goal during the all-Australian clash.

But the 20-year-old, who is sure to star against the Lions in 2013, has been backed by his Western Force head coach Richard Graham and will resume kicking duties against the Waratahs this weekend.

"Is there any need to change James? I don't think so given he was kicking at 79 per cent before that game on the weekend," said Graham.

"O'Connor's performance against the Rebels is a one-off. Everyone throughout the course of their sporting career has one of those days.

"James has been absolutely outstanding this year and I wouldn't think that  will happen again."

O'Connor made his debut for the Wallabies in 2008 and has forged a reputation as one of the world's most promising talents.

He so far has 27 Australian caps to his name and is a front-runner to face the Lions when they go Down Under in 2013.

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