James O'Connor has limited experience directing a backline © Getty Images

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James O'Connor is supremely confident the new-look Wallabies backline has jelled ahead of the first Tom Richards Cup Test against the British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.

O'Connor has played just one of his 37 Tests at fly-half - against Wales at the end of 2011 - and he has played only a handful of Super Rugby games at first receiver for Melbourne Rebels this season; he has partnered scrum-half Will Genia in the halves just twice, and he has played alongside debutant inside centre Christian Lealiifano only on the training paddock; yet O'Connor is adamant the backline can hit the ground running in Brisbane.

"You can build combinations on the training pitch and I think we have done that," he said on Thursday. "I'm very confident in how it's all going and how we've jelled as a team. We've had previous camps all throughout the year so we've been building on the structures and how we're going to play; it hasn't just been the last two weeks. We're very confident and very pumped. It's going to be a huge occasion and one I'm very much looking forward to, and I know the boys are as well."

O'Connor's selection ahead of Queensland Reds playmaker Quade Cooper has divided opinion among rugby experts and fans alike. Asked if he was motivated to prove the doubters wrong, O'Connor replied: "Very much so. It's going to be a huge occasion and what we've seen from the Lions so far, they have brought that physicality and they've definitely brought their A-game so I'm very much looking forward to the game. I've got some good support around me. There's guys in the team that control the game really well so I guess what we've done on the training pitch; if we can take that into the game we'll be playing some good footy."

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is equally confident his side has done the work necessary since assembling in camp on June 2 to beat the Lions. "Obviously we've made the most of the time that we've had and I can assure you they'll hit the ground running," Deans said. "They know what's coming, we've obviously tapped into the past and prepared as best as we can and we can't do any more without playing to be frank and we're looking forward to it."

He added of the Lions squad for the series opener: "It's a strong combination and they've been building combinations and they've been building their game. They've played very well and we know it's going to be a tough Test match and we intend to bring a fair amount to that as well. It's going to be an epic occasion."