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How the Springboks plan on shutting down Quade Cooper

By AAP
Quade Cooper. (Photo Patrick Hamilton/Photosport)

Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi have got South Africa thinking as the unlikely Wallabies pair attempt to arrest Australia’s slide in Sunday’s Rugby Championship clash on the Gold Coast.

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Cooper is the bold selection after four years in the test wilderness, the playmaker’s return creating some buzz around a side soundly beaten in their three previous tests against New Zealand.

With Kerevi, himself back in the fray after a two-year absence, in the centres the Springboks know Dave Rennie’s side will look to win the game with ball in hand at Cbus Super Stadium.

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Dave Rennie explains why Quade Cooper has been handed the No 10 jersey for the Wallabies.

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Dave Rennie explains why Quade Cooper has been handed the No 10 jersey for the Wallabies.

“On a good day they will punish any team when you’ve got guys like Kerevi and Quade who’s very experienced, and guys like (Marika) Koroibete, with time and space they’ll punish you,” South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said.

“Quade’s a world-class player; we’re going to have to make sure we don’t give him time and space to make decisions.”

It will be their first meeting since South Africa won the 2019 World Cup, the Springboks beating the British and Irish Lions (2-1) and Argentina (2-0) before arriving in Australia.

They’ll need that confidence to offset a horror record on Australian soil though, unbeaten at home since 2011 but with just four wins and two draws from their last 29 tests in the country dating back to 1993.

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It’s a record captain Siya Kolisi can’t explain, other than to offer that “they’ve got a great record against everyone in Australia”.

They couldn’t arrive with more confidence though, and have picked a full-strength squad aside from winger Cheslin Kolbe (leg).

Halfback Faf de Klerk is back from injury, so too is No 8 Duane Vermeulen in his first game since the World Cup win.

Seven changes to the starting side and 13 in total, including a 6-2 bench stacked with backrowers, show they mean business.

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“We wouldn’t want it any other way,” Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said of backing up a Bledisloe Cup with games against the world champions.

“They’ve developed their game, in terms of how they use the ball outstanding defence, the pressure they apply (since 2019).

“It’s super exciting you get to play them; 18 months ago I never thought the rugby world would be looking like it does … we’re thankful they made the journey.”

Murray Wenzel

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Bull Shark 3 hours 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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