‘Felt I wasn’t going’: Quade Cooper opens up on shock Wallabies omission
Four months on from Australia’s unforgettably controversial Rugby World Cup squad naming, overlooked playmaker Quade Cooper has opened up about the Wallabies and Eddie Jones.
When the new-look 33-man squad was revealed on the 10th of August, it’d almost be an understatement to describe the makeup of that group as a surprise.
Coach Eddie Jones decided that there was no place for Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley, Jed Holloway, Len Ikitau or Quade Cooper in the squad – instead, backing a young group to deliver.
That wasn’t the first sign of trouble for the Wallabies under coach Jones – with the men in gold coming last in The Rugby Championship – but it was probably a moment that defined this team.
Only eight players had gone to a World Cup before, with coach Jones also selecting one specialist flyhalf in the group ahead of Cooper and Foley. That proved to be the wrong call.
Australia went on to lose two pool matches at the sport’s showpiece event as they bundled out of the competition in the pool stage for the first time in their otherwise esteemed history.
The Wallabies’ campaign raised more questions than answers as many pinned the blame on Jones. But as of Wednesday, the man known simply as ‘Eddie’ is now Japan’s head coach.
A lot has happened in Australian rugby since that squad was named four months ago. Quade Cooper has broken his silence about his Wallabies’ omission, revealing he “felt I wasn’t going to” before the team was named.
“To be honest, I just felt I wasn’t going to go. I just had a sense. You can read people’s energy,” Cooper told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Especially in the last four years, my journey has been about development and the process. I have put myself into a place where my worth isn’t controlled by wearing a Wallabies jersey. It’s a huge honour, though.
“I wanted the boys to do well, like Carter (Gordon). I was quite upset because I felt I couldn’t help in any way. I had to sit back and watch things play out in front of me.”
Jones had apparently failed to call Cooper ahead of the squad naming, with the flyhalf telling the SMH that “the attempt at calls were very late in the night.”
But that’s the end of their story, either. During the Rugby World Cup, but long after the Wallabies’ pool stage exit, Jones suggested that Cooper, Hooper and Foley weren’t the right role models for the team.
Once again, that caused quite a stir.
“To be honest, the thing that got me about that comment was more so that he questioned my want to win,” Cooper said.
“There were a lot of comments throughout the year that put a lot of players under pressure – some things that were said about other teams right before we were about to play them.
“Some of the things he said to grab headlines – at other people’s expense – I just don’t operate like that.
“I had nothing bad to say about Eddie as a person or a man. I didn’t agree with some of the things that were said, especially about myself, ‘Hoops’ and ‘Foles’.
“My philosophy is to be the best I can be. It’s about building good habits and foundations That’s a winning mindset… I want to be reliable. When people want to push the blame on others, that isn’t a winning mindset.”
Refusing to rule out a return to the international Test area, Cooper still feels that he’s “one of the best players in Australia.”
With the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025 just around the corner, the dawn of a new era awaits the Wallabies. Whether or not Cooper is part of that remains to be seen.
But one thing that is clear by reading the full interview transcript is that Cooper is focused on what he can control. The makeup of the Wallabies’ World Cup squad was a shock, but that’s in the past.
Cooper would even have a coffee with Jones if he ever did see Eddie again.
“I hope his decision to not pick me wasn’t anything personal.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Chief Cheapshot on the market again.
1 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to comments