By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Sydney, Aug 14 NZPA - Wallabies rugby coach Robbie Deans has backed teenage star James O'Connor to start against the All Blacks after his Eden Park horrors.

O'Connor, who turned 19 last month, is firming as the Wallabies' starting fullback for next Saturday's Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney.

His prospects got a boost yesterday in the form of a glowing report from Deans as he looks to reshuffle his backline in the absence of injured captain Stirling Mortlock, with Adam Ashley-Cooper an option at centre.

O'Connor was impressive off the bench in the Wallabies' meek 17-29 defeat to the Springboks last Saturday, after several blunders, including a wild pass in the dying minutes of their loss to the All Blacks in Auckland.

"He's always had the talent and he's a young man who's learning in the test arena which is very hard," Deans said as the Wallabies reassembled in Sydney.

"Most young men get to learn the game at club level, whereas James is having his learning experience in a test match where he's got millions watching, the scrutiny is enormous and the consequence of an error is enormous.

"It's tough but he's showing the courage and capability he's got. When you look at his response from Eden Park to Newlands, it was a remarkable response."

With key playmaker Daniel Carter looking ever more likely to return, the All Blacks will be noting O'Connor's potential presence and will be sure to test him out.

Deans said the Cape Town match proved the confident youngster was capable of starting at ANZ Stadium against their trans-Tasman rivals.

"He wouldn't see it as intense pressure, he wants to be out there," Deans said.

"He came from Eden Park where he made an error and everyone talked about it and said `he's not ready', but he showed on the weekend he's more than ready.

"You don't get a contest any tougher than Newlands against a Springboks side, with the way they play, and the fact they targeted him and he stepped up to the plate and dealt with it."

O'Connor made his mark at training yesterday, too, when he squared up with veteran flanker Phil Waugh during an opposed training session.

The pair had to be separated by teammates as they clashed heatedly.

O'Connor insisted afterwards it was "all in good fun", and felt he'd done enough to push for a starting spot against the All Blacks.

"Definitely, I've got a bit of confidence at the moment and I'm pretty happy with my game and how we're playing."

Having flown into the top level via John Mitchell's Western Force, then scoring a hat-trick of tries on his run-on test debut against Italy this year, the Auckland experience was the first real setback for the Queenslander.

He knew the Springboks would target him last weekend but was happy with how he emerged.

"I saw (Fourie) du Preez have a quick look and identify that they wanted to test me early. I just wanted to play in the moment and focus on catching the ball and work from there.

"I was pretty nervous (in Auckland). I came on and just tried to do a bit too much and not play my natural game. That's over now, I've moved on."

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