The story behind Cooper's and O'Connor's Wallabies resurgence
Strength of character and a fierce determination to return to the fold are among the reasons why Quade Cooper and James O’Connor are back in the Wallabies mix, says captain Michael Hooper.
The pair, who debuted in 2008, are now 13 years through their Wallabies journey and have faced bouts of omission from the national side.
But lessons learned overseas and away from the team have driven their growth, with their wisdom now quintessential in developing the young crop of Wallabies so ably led by Hooper.
“They’ve brought so much to the group for quite a short time that he’s been in and Rabs (James O’Connor) certainly before his injury, but since he’s come back from his injuries certainly adding a lot of direction around the backs” Hooper said on Friday.
“Quade obviously, there’s a fair bit talked about what he’s doing on the field, but off the field for some of our young fly-halves and the way we control and move a game around he’s been fantastic.
“The other thing is our coaching staff that are willing to introduce these guys back into the environment, give them a shot, it’s just that sport’s so great that it can do that and they’ve grabbed it.”
Cooper has been named to start his third consecutive test at five-eighth against Argentina on Saturday, with O’Connor’s reintroduction after a niggling groin injury sees him coming off the bench.
As the Wallabies look to build their depth and reinforce experience through all positions, Hooper added the duo’s seasoned knowledge was exactly what the national side needed.
“The luxury of Rabs is that he can play in so many positions, I mean it’s a good and a bad thing to have as a coach I guess when you’ve got depth in many positions,” he said.
“A lot of guys putting their hand up, finding the right combination, the balance between physicality, smarts, a bit of agility and X Factor is something that we’re going to have to work out and it’s a good problem to have.
“Quade’s certainly been great in terms of his leadership around the on-field control of the game. I think what’s been noticeable there is you know it’s time in the saddle.
“So often I think a 10 (five-eighth) all these guys have skill, but just it’s a time thing.
“He’s watched a lot of tape – you can imagine the hours of tape he’s watched compared to you know a second or third-year 10 – so time in the saddle is huge and experience in that role.”
The Wallabies will play their penultimate Rugby Championship test against Los Pumas in Townsville on Saturday before facing them again on the Gold Coast the following weekend.
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