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Why the Blues should sign Quade Cooper
Could the pairing of Super Rugby’s most enigmatic player with its most frustrating team be a match made in heaven?
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The most notable name in Australian unemployment statistics this week, Quade Cooper, probably won’t have a hard time finding a new gig somewhere in the world. While it might be a stretch to think he’d return to the land of his birth, some analysis of a potential move to the Blues does actually hold some water – especially since there is no evidence that any other Australian franchise has plans to pick up Cooper for 2018.
Here’s why the Blues should sign him:
Super 10’s
The Auckland-based Blues have a ton of talent on paper, including some of the most dangerous backs in the competition: Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Melani Nanai to name a few. But, to the frustration of their fans, they’ve consistently under-delivered in the New Zealand conference – having to watch every other New Zealand franchise win at least one title since 2010.
There is one common theme among the champions. They all had an international calibre first-fives – including the Crusaders’ Richie Mo’unga, who played his first game for the All Blacks on their recent European tour. Historically, the teams that win Super Rugby have had an international quality 10 at the helm, and this isn’t just the New Zealand championship teams.
The Blues right now are similar to the Hurricanes of the 2000’s – rock star backs without a top quality first five. Cooper has vast international experience with 70 test caps to his name, is one of the few 10’s to have beaten the All Blacks, already has a Super Rugby title and, maybe most importantly, has a New Zealand passport.
The Blues troubles at 10
The Blues region has been infamously unable to produce a first five since the beginning of Super Rugby. From their first, and best ever, Carlos Spencer (who hails from Levin) to their pivot from last year, Ihaia West (Hawkes Bay).
Their latest two prospects – Stephen Perofeta and Otere Black, hail from Wanganui and Manawatu – in the Hurricanes region. These two players have come through the New Zealand under 20’s and present exciting prospects, but are unproven in Super Rugby. In pure bad news Blues fashion, Black is out for the entire Super Rugby season anyway with a knee injury picked up in the Mitre 10 Cup.
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The Blues have shown before they will gamble – the ill-fated signing of league convert Benji Marshall in 2014 was a high-risk high-reward signing that did not pay off. On the face of it, Cooper is a much better proposition – for a start, he plays the right code.
Sea Change
Moving to the Blues would give Cooper’s Super Rugby career an immediate reboot. The problems at the Reds run far deeper than Cooper himself – a fresh location, new teammates and less onus on Cooper would give him the best chance to return to his stellar 2011 form.
The current situation will be hurting Cooper’s ego. Never before has he been unwanted like this, he left the Reds on his terms and they bent over to bring him back. This works in the Blues favour, a bruised ego will hopefully bring back the best side of him and motivate change.
He arguably has never had the sort of weapons such as Rieko Ioane and Sonny Bill Williams to work with before. Williams is renowned for his professionalism and work ethic – and more importantly already harbours a close relationship with Cooper. Any concerns about a negative impact of bringing Cooper in should be dampened by this fact, the two would likely work well together.
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If Cooper can re-capture the 2011 magic, it would be the second coming of Carlos. They are similar players who shared criticism for their creative style of play and attitude. Playing in Auckland worked for Spencer, it could work again for the closest thing we have seen to Spencer.
Then there’s the added factor of ‘redemption’ for the Tokoroa-born Cooper. He’s long been unfairly bagged as a traitor by New Zealanders, however he did himself no favours during his test career by trying to tussle with Richie McCaw in their Bledisloe Cup encounters. A successful return to an NZ team would greatly improve his legacy in these parts, in fact all it can take is one successful kick – just ask Stephen Donald.
The biggest hurdle for Cooper
There is no denying that since 2011, the best of Cooper has been seen sparingly. At 29-years-old Cooper is, admittedly, approaching his twilight years.
Super Rugby is a young 10’s game – all of the pivots that have won Super Rugby are in their mid-20’s – Richie Mo’unga (23 in 2017), Beauden Barrett (25 in 2016), Lima Sopoaga (24 in 2015), Bernard Foley (25 in 2014), Aaron Cruden (23/24 in 2012/13), Cooper (23 in 2011), Morne Steyn (25/26 in 2009/10).
Dan Carter, who won three titles with the Crusaders, won his last at 26-years-old – despite playing Super Rugby until 33. The oldest first five to win a Super Rugby title is Stephen Larkham, who at 30 guided the 2004 Brumbies championship.
Cooper would have to buck the recent trend, but he has missed significant game time recently. 2015 was largely spent on the sidelines due to injury, and his time in France saw limited action.
However, it’s notable that Spencer was 28 at the time of his vintage 2003 championship season for the Blues – the last time they troubled the Super Rugby trophy engravers.
Roll of the dice
A key factor in this decision would be – does Cooper care about winning? Would he take a pay-cut to prove he can play at a high-level in the best professional club competition in the world? Or does he want to take the yen in Japan playing in a lower quality competition?
If the Blues could pick up Cooper on a cheap one-year deal – they could give him the opportunity to start the 2018 season. If the spark is there, they could make a run to the playoffs. If it isn’t, they hand the reigns over to Black or Perofeta and begin building their experience.
The Blues have nothing to lose – as the above history suggests, they aren’t going to be in the frame to win without a top-level first-five. Despite the outstanding promise shown, it will take a few seasons for 22-year-old Black or 20-year-old Perofeta to get to that level.
Like the Marshall deal, signing Cooper would attract a massive amount of scrutiny. But, unlike Marshall, this actually makes some sense. It could pay off handsomely – and if it doesn’t then the Blues haven’t lost much.
Because given the results they’ve had in recent years, there’s nothing left to lose anyway.
READ MORE:
Former Wallabies take to Twitter to protest Quade Cooper’s treatment
Queensland Reds drop second player within 24 hours
Comments on RugbyPass
Geez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
20 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
7 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
72 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
20 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
7 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
20 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
20 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
20 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
2 Go to commentsGood for him. The ABs were fooling around again with converted fullbacks that had a penetration of a marshmallow. Laumape or as Aki has shown for Ireland, go forward is important in the centres. If it had been DMac - Aki- Aumua - Ioane- Telea- Jordan in France the final result would have been different.
4 Go to comments