Utility Adam Ashley-Cooper has well and truly embraced life as a Mr Fix-It but he could have thrown an early spanner in the works of Wallabies whiz-kid James O'Connor.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has been presented with a major selection dilemma at fullback heading into Saturday night's litmus test against France following Ashley-Cooper's surprise success against Italy.

The anywhere-man of the Wallabies backline continued his eye-catching season with a starring two-try performance off the bench to earn a rare replacement's man-of-the-match award in Saturday night's 34-12 win at Etihad Stadium.

Ashley-Cooper played the bulk of his 60 minutes on the wing, replacing a bloodied Peter Hynes, before finishing at fullback when O'Connor was rested.

A three-try hero in his run-on debut the week before in Canberra, O'Connor was less prominent with no Matt Giteau to work off and also succumbed to early nerves, or possibly over-confidence, by spilling a regulation first-minute bomb.

The choice at No.15 looks the most difficult for the Test selectors this week, but Deans is pleased to have options in a position that was worryingly open during the Super 14.

"Coopy has really hit the ground running," Deans said. "He finished Super rugby well and he's full of running which is great.

"When you combine his versatility with that, he's a valuable squad member.

"He came on and took initiative and he didn't just feed off the work of others. He really stepped up and led."

Ashley-Cooper - who has also started Tests at 12, 13 and on either wing - certainly hasn't fallen into the utility's unenviable position of becoming a jack of all trades and master of none.

"It doesn't matter, I love being labelled a utility, I'll play wherever," said the powerful Brumbies flyer. "I'm happy to be playing football.

"(O'Connor) had a cracker of a debut last week and I was really proud for him. It's great and healthy for the team when kids like this come out and put pressure on other players like myself."

While blond-haired 18-year-old O'Connor is a future superstar, Ashley-Cooper's all-round game at fullback has improved significantly in the past 12 months - highlighted by a standout effort against the Barbarians this month.

But his most recent career highlight remains the November meeting with France in Paris when he was called into outside centre at the 11th hour to replace an ailing Ryan Cross, and starred in a reshuffled backline for an 18-13 upset win.

"It was one of the hardest games I've played," he said. "I've played New Zealand and I've played the Springboks but that one there at Stade de France was one of the toughest, it was just incredible."

"It's a good opportunity. It will be a good indication where you are personally and also collectively as a team. It's an important game leading into the Tri-Nations."

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