Quade Cooper's omission from the Wallabies squad sparks heated fly-half debate

Two of the most interesting stories in this Super Rugby season have been the comebacks of fly-halves Christian Leali’ifano and Quade Cooper. 

This was Leali’ifano’s comeback season in southern hemisphere rugby after being diagnosed with leukemia in August 2016, while Cooper returned to Super Rugby with the Rebels after being completely dropped from the Reds last season and forced to play club rugby. 

As the season progressed, both players staked legitimate claims to be selected for the Wallabies. Cooper started the season in sensational form, as the Rebels soared to the top end of the table. However, their season – and his – lost momentum and spiralled out of control. 

Conversely, Leali’ifano’s season went from strength to strength, as he guided the Brumbies to the semi-finals. Consequently, he has got the nod from Michael Cheika alongside Bernard Foley to represent Australia again this Rugby Championship at the expense of Cooper. 

Many fans are dismayed by this decision, believing Cooper should be a part of the squad. While his form did drop towards the end of the season, many feel the 70-cap international’s showings at the beginning of the season were good enough to be selected, with the additional bonus of his club partnership with Will Genia. 

A huge day for the #Wallabies!
Congrats to the 34 strong Rugby Championship squad! #GoldBlooded #AUSvARG pic.twitter.com/OyMDiwkgqZ

— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 4, 2019

However, the consensus seems to be that Cooper should not be selected at the expense of Leali’ifano but rather Foley. The Waratah has been a favourite of Cheika’s over the past four years and it would be a major statement to drop him now, but the fans feel he has not warranted a place this season. 

The Waratahs had a dismal Super Rugby campaign and Foley failed to sparkle. He has never been the most adventurous or attacking fly-half, which seems to go against the DNA of the Wallabies. 

However, he has always been the dependable option for Cheika during his tenure as head coach. This is what the fans have said: 

Hahahahahahahaha what are they thinking…. Cooper by far the best Australian flyhalf this super rugby campaign…. Then with his partnership with He is you would think it's a no brainer hahahahahaha ????

— bruce baxter (@brucebax) July 4, 2019

We aren't getting anywhere with Foley at 10. Should be CLL to start and Quade off the bench. AAC, Latu, Robertson shouldn't be in. Would take Meakes, Mafi and Harry Johnson Holmes over those three.

— Lachie Russ (@LachRusss) July 4, 2019

They’ve got bolts in their heads or something no Quade Cooper what are they thinking ?????

— luke condick (@luke_pies) July 4, 2019

Quade Cooper didn’t make the Wallabies squad? What a shit show

— VANTABLACK ???? (@UraJerkhov) July 4, 2019

@QuadeCooper left out of the Wallabies first World Cup Training Squad. I know sport politics are a serious issue but how can he be overlooked after that homecoming season with the Rebels?!

— SG | The Performance Coach (@Sana_Govender) July 4, 2019

@rugby_podcast wake the fuck up. Get on the mics. Where the fuck is quade cooper in the wallabies squad? Like, what the actual fuck!? Foley is the worst fly half of all the top ten nation teams.

— Steven monteith (@Stevenronmon) July 4, 2019

Sheesh Australia really like shooting themselves in the foot… you sack your best player(Folau) and now you omit your form flyhalf in @QuadeCooper ??? absolutely crazy

— bruce baxter (@brucebax) July 4, 2019

I'd be a lot more excited about the squad if @QuadeCooper was in it but congrats to Christian. Hopefully Cheika not just going with the same gameplans that have failed since 2015. #Wallabies

— Jamie (@jamiesportstwit) July 4, 2019

No @QuadeCooper in the wallabies squad ? I actually give up if he isn’t in our best 40 players in the country #Wallabies

— taran wood (@taran_88) July 4, 2019

Cheika has gone with just the two fly-halves, presumably looking at Matt Toomua as a back-up option or even Kurtley Beale. 

This is unlikely to be the squad for the World Cup, as injuries occur and some players come back from spells on the sidelines, but it is an indication of what is to come. While it was a dream comeback season for Leali’ifano, Cooper fell just short.