Quade Cooper thrown Rugby World Cup lifeline by Cheika's Wallabies
New Melbourne Rebels recruit Quade Cooper has been thrown a Wallaby World Cup lifeline, receiving an invite to attend a Wallabies camp in Sydney over the weekend.
Cooper’s inclusion at the conditioning camp was denied by a Wallabies spokesperson however The Australian reports he was in attendance.
“The most eye-catching selection was that of five-eighth Quade Cooper who has made a significant impression since moving to the Melbourne Rebels from Queensland,” they wrote.
Quade’s absence from the Wallabies stretches back to June 2017, where he last played a Bledisloe test against the All Blacks. He expressed a desire to one day return in the green and gold in an interview with rugby.com.au last year.
“Every player that is playing the game… whether that be Super Rugby, grass roots, you’re at school, the ambition is to represent your country,” he said.
“I have been fortunate enough to do that 70 plus times so I wouldn’t be playing the game if I didn’t want to be the best that I could be.
“Whether that eventuates down the track… who knows.
With the 30-year-old flyhalf joining the Melbourne Rebels on a one-year contract, a return to Super Rugby is imminent which will allow Cooper to put a case forward for inclusion in Michael Cheika’s World Cup squad. With invites to Wallabies camps already calling, a Wallaby re-call may come sooner than that.
Speaking ahead of the season with his old Reds halves partner Will Genia, Cooper said he is looking forward to creating some new memories with his halfback.
“I guess for me it’s that we had some great memories together,” Cooper told rugby.com.au.
“It’s not about remembering the past or anything but just more so getting the opportunity to create some new memories.
“We’re both hit our 30s now, so the memories that we’re able to create in our younger days, they’re some special memories and no one can ever take those away but being able to get the opportunity again to create some new memories I’m really excited about that opportunity. “
“When you build a relationship and a mutual respect for someone, it’s a hard thing to lose,” Cooper said.
“This guy next to me has had some great success throughout his career and I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of a lot of that and also some of it I haven’t been a part of.
We can’t wait to see these two running around AAMI Park together in 2019 ? pic.twitter.com/I0HiUo4aO0
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) January 16, 2019
Genia is also relishing the chance to play with Cooper again, having been highly influential for the Reds for a number of years and piloting the club to their first Super Rugby title in 2011.
“We both see the game in a very similar way and respect the way we see the game but also there’s trust.”
“There’s plenty of times we played together where we’ve had huge blowups on the field and then you just have a laugh about it afterwards because I know he genuinely wants what’s best for me and for the team and likewise I want what’s best for the team,” he continues.
“It’s all just built around success and from my perspective a genuine great admiration for the way he plays the game and the way he sees it and then through that just a desire to want to play with him.”
Genia
“I want to win. My desire to win and be competitive and win it all has never changed and it’s a really good group of people,” he said.
“Everyone wants to work hard, everyone’s on the same page, there’s no ego, no pork chops or people who carry on not just the playing group but the organisation.
“That’s really conducive to creating a winning environment. Enjoy myself, be happy and continue to grow as a player and a person.”
Rugby World Cup city guide – Fukuoka:
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments