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He's back: Quade Cooper to wear No 10 jersey against Springboks

By AAP
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for the ARU)

Quade Cooper will make a dramatic return to test rugby as Wallabies coach Dave Rennie rolls the dice to try to keep Australia’s forlorn Rugby Championship hopes alive.

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Rennie will on Friday name 33-year-old Cooper as Australia’s No 10 to face the world champion Springboks on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

The mercurial playmaker last pulled on the Wallabies gold in 2017.

With the Wallabies desperately needing to win after two straight losses to the All Blacks to start the tournament, and New Zealand and South Africa both 2-0, Rennie has dumped the under-performing Noah Lolesio in favour of Cooper’s experience and flair.

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Former Wallabies Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers speak to media

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Former Wallabies Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers speak to media

His return marks an incredible comeback after being frozen out by Brad Thorn at the Queensland Reds four years ago, then heading overseas to ply his trade in Japan following a one-season cameo in Melbourne.

Cooper’s inclusion marks a shift in selection policy from Rennie, who had been steadfastly pinning his faith in the youth movement.

But desperate times call for desperate measures.

Former Wallabies star Lote Tuqiri will be pleased with Cooper’s selection after calling on Rennie on Thursday to give the 70-test veteran another shot.

“I’ve always liked Quade Cooper,” Tuqiri said.

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“He’s in the squad, he’s been in and around that time for a while … I’m not saying Noah Lolesio is not the option (but) Noah probably needs a bit of a rest at the moment.

“He’s only a young guy. Feeling that constant pressure each week can get a bit tough.

“He’s only young in his Wallabies career, so give him a week or two off and let Quade take some of these games.

“He can help take the pressure off (Lolesio) and then Noah can come take over probably for the last couple of games.

“That’s what I’d do.”

Rennie will name his full 23-man squad later on Friday.

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Bull Shark 30 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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