Rugby: Brash winger has licence to roam

James O'Connor. Photo / Supplied

Bold as brass, Wallabies wonderboy James O'Connor has no fears of marking world rugby's best winger Bryan Habana with just 40 minutes of experience in the position.

Instead, O'Connor, just turned 20, has vowed to create headaches for the Springboks by embracing a roving commission in attack in Australia's Tri-Nations opener on Saturday night.

The elusive utility back is licking his lips at running off playmakers Quade Cooper and Matt Giteau at Suncorp Stadium.

"Once I get out on the field and into the phase attack you'll see me all over," O'Connor said yesterday.

"The way the game's going now there's a high [attacking] work rate for wingers, whereas at 15 it's more defensively a high work rate, so that could benefit my game."

Former Wallabies winger Damian Smith strongly agrees and hailed his surprise switch to wing for the bigger Adam Ashley-Cooper to play fullback as a fantastic move by coach Robbie Deans.

Smith, who played 22 tests in the 1990s, felt the exciting O'Connor should find a permanent home on the wing as he had a skill set to make him a David Campese-style game breaker.

"He's a great attacking player and he reads the game so well. It gives him the freedom to get into first receiver and run the ball and create," said Smith.

- AAP