Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has urged James O'Connor to keep an open mind on his playing position, as he prepares for the playmaking role against Wales this weekend.
O'Connor is set for a stern test of his fly half credentials from a young, confident Welsh side determined to send departing winger Shane Williams out on a winning note at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Sunday (AEDT).
The assured and versatile O'Connor made a bright start in his first appearance at number 10 for the Wallabies in last weekend's 60-11 rout of the Barbarians at Twickenham.
With close friend and regular fly half Quade Cooper out injured, O'Connor has hinted that his time in the position is only a temporary measure and he is best suited to inside centre.
But Deans sent a reminder that the 21-year-old's long-term role is not settled and the team's best interests should come first in deciding it.
"His stated preference is 12 but you find over time that players let go of their individual preference and ideally start to think of what is in the best interests of the group and team," he said.
"He is of great value where ever he is, so it does not matter in the long run but he is capable of mastering both (inside centre and fly half)."
The Welsh backs have spent the past week devising plans to stifle O'Connor.
"It will be a different experience but he is conscious of that," Deans said.
O'Connor would not be the first to make a successful transition from the outside backs to fly half for Australia.
Wallabies great Stephen Larkham was full-back before being shifted to number 10 for the national team in 1998.
There were concerns raised about Larkham's tactical kicking but he more than made up for any shortcomings with his ability to ghost through the tightest defences.
Larkham played in the Wallabies' sides that won the World Cup in 1999 and reached the final in 2003.
O'Connor also has an uncanny ability to shed tackles.
The youngster's opposite number in Cardiff will be the impressive Rhys Priestland, one of the revelations of the 2011 World Cup before being hit by injury.
Priestland, who missed the Wallabies' 21-18 win over Wales in the World Cup bronze medal match, says the Welsh have done their homework on O'Connor.
"We have been working hard all week trying to nullify him," he said.
"We are going to try to limit the amount of damage he can do."
The Wallabies are bracing for exciting wing veteran Williams to be provided with plenty of ball in his last chance to bamboozle international opposition.
But Priestland says the little man with the dancing feet will not receive any special service.
"For that 80 minutes it is just Wales versus Australia, it does not really matter who is retiring or who is in their first game," Priestland said.
"It is just us against them and afterwards we will celebrate what a great career he has had.
"But if it is not on to give it to Shane, we are not just going to give it to Shane."
Wallabies outside centre Rob Horne is in doubt for Sunday's match after pulling up with hamstring tightness.
He is likely to be replaced by Anthony Faingaa.
AAP
Tags: rugby-union, sport, wales, united-kingdom, australia First posted December 02, 2011 17:45:26
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