O'Connor appointed as Wallaby selector

Former Wallaby centre and dual international Michael O'Connor has been appointed as a Wallaby Selector, replacing another former Wallaby centre Tim Horan.

O'Connor fills the independent role on the selection panel, with Head Coach John Connolly and Attack Coach Scott Johnson filling the other two Wallaby Selector roles.

ARU CEO and Managing Director Gary Flowers said O'Connor's role as Talent Identification Coordinator gave him an intimate knowledge of the players who have either reached Wallaby level in the past five years or are still "on the Wallaby production line".

"Tim Horan provided invaluable service as a selector throughout the 2005 season," Flowers said.

"He remains a key figure in the modern game and we will continue to seek his advice and feedback for the team.

"However we feel that O'Connor can add another level of analysis to the role of Wallaby selector, given that he has had a hands-on role in identifying and nurturing up-and-coming Wallaby talent for the past five years.

"He is also in a position to travel with the team and attend the majority of their training sessions, which is an important part of the role.

"Mick has been a selector for the Australian Under 19s and Under 21s since 2001, so he has an intimate knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of every player on our Wallaby production line."

"Many of last year's Wallaby squad, such as Tatafu Polota-Nau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lloyd Johansson and Leroy Houston, have either been identified or assessed by Mick O'Connor at some point on their journey up through the representative pathway."

Connolly said O'Connor's appointment completed the off-field team for the upcoming season.

"The Wallaby coaching and selection jigsaw is now complete," Connolly said.

"It will be good to have someone of O'Connor's abilities at the selectors' table.

"He has a lot of experience with the Under 19s and Under 21s and along with Scott Johnson, Michael Foley and John Muggleton, he will have a lot to offer the Wallabies this year.

O'Connor said he was honoured by the appointment.

"It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to be involved in the identification and development of young players," O'Connor said.

"For me, that process starts at the Under 16 level through to the Under 19s and Under 21s, so it is really pleasing to now be involved at Wallaby level.

"There are a couple of players in the Wallaby squad last year who came through the ARU's National Under 16 Championship, and there are quite a few more who look set to do the same in the coming years.

"Rugby has been spending a lot of time developing players from the Under 16s onwards, so it is very satisfying when you see them turning out as Wallabies, and I look forward to being involved in that process."

2006 Wallaby Selectors
John Connolly
Scott Johnson
Michael O'Connor