James O'Connor is not ready to play at No.10 for the Wallabies according to two Australian backline greats © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Features: Adam Scott inspiration for Australian rugby

News: James O'Connor dismisses Mortlock criticism

Matches: Melbourne Rebels 27-30 Southern Kings

Tournaments/Tours: Super Rugby

Teams: Australia | Melbourne Rebels | Rebels

Former Wallabies captains Stirling Mortlock and Tim Horan don't believe James O'Connor is cut out to play five-eighth in the upcoming British and Irish Lions Test series.

With Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale currently on the outer, O'Connor has emerged as the favourite to wear the Wallabies' No.10 jersey in the blockbuster series but the pair of centre greats warned the Melbourne Rebels star isn't suited to the chief playmaking role.

Mortlock, a member of the Rebels coaching staff, on Sunday said O'Connor still lacked the kicking game, ball distribution and game management required as a Test five-eighth and was better suited out wide.

"I'd be picking him on the wing," Mortlock told Triple-M radio's The Ruck program. "His calling and game awareness at 10, he still needs to work on that. He's getting better but he hasn't played that position consistently from the day dot. I just think his skill set, currently, is more suited to (inside centre) long term."

"It looks like James has all the attributes to be a fantastic No.12, where he has a little more time and more space (for his) running game," Mortlock added. "He really is electric when he touches the ball from second-wave attack and that's where as blind winger you get the ball."

O'Connor was on the right wing in coach Robbie Deans' 2011 World Cup team, with amigos Cooper at five-eighth and Beale at fullback. But Deans was delighted with the 22-year-old's form at No.10 in the ensuing two-match spring tour, inside fellow playmaker Berrick Barnes, before he succumbed to injury last year.

Mortlock's comments come after the Rebels switched O'Connor from fullback to five-eighth for Saturday night's heart-breaking 30-27 loss to the Southern Kings at AAMI Park. A backline mentor at the Rebels, Mortlock blamed Melbourne's poor game management in the final 20 minutes for conceding a late 10-point lead.

Beale is expected to come back into Wallabies reckoning if he returns from suspension (alcohol issues) in the coming month, while Cooper is pushing his case with a return to form in Queensland's past three wins.

Deans controversially overlooked Cooper in his 30-man squad for a two-day logistics camp, starting Sunday, a decision Mortlock supported as he felt the Reds playmaker needed to win back the trust of teammates following his "toxic" attack of last year.

"We all know his capabilities and when Quade's on mentally and physically he's easily our best 10 in Australia, but at this stage I'd like to see him earn that respect back before he gets picked," Mortlock said. "I'm really happy with the way the ARU have dealt with Quade, and particular, with the way he's responded."

Mortlock felt former Brumbies teammate Christian Lealiifano deserved to debut at either No.10 or 12 in the three-Test series.

Fellow 80-Test Wallabies centre Horan said Cooper's return to form beside Will Genia and added maturity showed he should start at five-eighth.

"Quade Cooper has handled himself really, really well," Horan said. "James O'Connor should be on the wing or at inside centre. I just don't think he has the distribution to ignite the backline outside him."