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Teenager James O'Connor may experience the harsh realities of international sport as early as this week, despite scoring three tries in Australia's 31-8 victory over Italy.

While full of praise for his fullback on Sunday, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans did not rule out dropping the 18-year-old for the second match in the series against the Azzurri.

"I think these blokes are familiar enough now and understand it's not about an individual," Deans said in Canberra when asked if O'Connor would be selected for next Saturday's Test in Melbourne. "It's about the group. Nothing is forever."

Wallabies flyhalf Matt Giteau, however, said he doubted any demotion from the starting team would upset O'Connor, who made his first run-on start for the Wallabies after making his debut last year as a replacement against Italy.

"He knows he played well enough," Giteau said. "He knows he can start and play at this level so I'm sure he'll get a lot of confidence out of it and he certainly won't be diminished by getting (relegated).

"It wouldn't really be a dropping, just a replacing." Despite his performance in the number 15 jersey, Deans said he felt O'Connor might emulate former Wallaby flyhalf Stephen Larkham and eventually move closer to the action.

Larkham started his international career as a running fullback before he was converted into an outstanding flyhalf.

"This will be a great foundation for him," Deans said of O'Connor's selection at fullback. "It's just a great place for him to enter the game. He gets more time.

"He can see things unfold and I've got no doubt that he has the ability over time to push up into the front line.

"But he's still a young man and he's still growing into his body and we didn't want him to be exposed to that week-in, week-out battering that you tend to get in the front line."

Deans added that players in the 30-man squad such as openside flanker Phil Waugh and winger Lote Tuqiri, who played club rugby on Saturday, would all be in contention for Saturday's match at Docklands Stadium.

"We'll get footage (of their games)," Deans said. "We'll hope to see the efforts of all our players from over the weekend. They're all important."

Reuters