Big-hitting Anthony Faingaa got into the Australia team at the expense of James O’Connor but he doubts that his role in the backline is more prosaic than that of the swashbuckling winger.

The 24-year-old linchpin of the Queensland Reds defence came in at outside centre for the Tri-Nations decider against the All Blacks when O’Connor was suspended for missing the World Cup squad announcement.     

Such was the impression he made as the Wallabies beat the World Cup hosts in Brisbane, though, that Faingaa was retained for the twice world champions’ opening Pool C match in New Zealand against Italy on Sunday.     

Leaving the attacking flair to the likes of Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale and Digby Ioane, Faingaa is as straightforward in his description of what he brings to the team as he is in his play.     

“I’m a tackling centre, that’s probably my trademark,” he told reporters on Friday. “I do what I do, that’s tackling, running hard and ball handling if I have to.     

“I play like a 12 with a 13 on my back and so far it’s been working. Two weeks ago against the All Blacks was a small indication of what I can do.”     

Faingaa, who weighs in at well under 100 kilogrammes, is anticipating a tough afternoon against the Italian centre partnership of Gonzalo Canale and Gonzalo Garcia at the North Harbour stadium.     

“It’s going to be a tough match, Italy have really showed some dominance in the centres so for me it’s going to be another step up,” he added.      

“For us it’s about containing their backline. They’re very big dudes so it’s going to be a test on Sunday.”     

One factor that all of Australia’s outside backs have to contend with is anticipating what Cooper is going to do next from flyhalf, something that has baffled opponents and more than a few TV cameramen this season.       

“I’ve played with Quade for the last couple of years so I’ve been fortunate to understand a bit about Quade Cooper and how he works,” he said. “(But) he surprises cameramen, he surprises me, he surprises everyone.”     

Winger Ioane, who revealed that the players had nicknamed Faingaa the “hit man”, is another of the six Queensland Reds in the starting line-up for Sunday’s match.     

The pacy winger is famous for his acrobatic try celebrations in the Super rugby and said there would be more of the same if he justified his tag as bookies’ favourite to finish as the tournament’s top try scorer.            

“I’ve got a few up my sleeves so I’ve just got to get a try,” he laughed.      

Rocky Elsom was relieved of many of his media duties when he was stripped of the captaincy on the eve of Australia’s World Cup squad announcement.     

Returning to the task of addressing reporters on Friday, however, the taciturn blindside flanker could hardly have been less enthusiastic.        

“The whole group is pretty excited about the fact that the tournament is actually coming around,” he said. “It’s probably the end of a bit of speculation, more about doing.     

“It’s your opportunity to put it on the table, and that’s what you’d always prefer rather than talking ... “