1 Nov 2010

Wallabies winger wants kicking duties

12:56 pm on 1 November 2010

The Wallabies hero James O'Connor has declared himself ready to take on the kicking duties full-time after booting Australia to a long-awaited victory over the All Blacks in Hong Kong on Saturday night.

O'Connor booted two wide conversions from two attempts, including his match-winner after the siren for the 26-24 win, after the Wallabies first two kickers had struggled miserably.

Between them, Kurtley Beale and Matt Giteau managed just one from six, Beale unable to continue his sharp-shooting from Pretoria and Giteau replaced by Berrick Barnes in the 64th minute.

Australia cracked a 10-Test losing streak against the All Blacks after winger O'Connor scored in the 82nd minute and then struck the ball beautifully to clinch victory.

The Wallabies flew out for London on Sunday night and will head to Cardiff on Monday to begin preparations for next weekend's Test against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Five-eighth Quade Cooper has a sore elbow but medical staff believe the injury is minor.