'We haven't spoken about the Cheika thing' - Cooper issue not a factor
Coach Dave Rennie doesn’t believe Quade Cooper’s fractious history with Argentina coach Michael Cheika will affect his Wallabies playmaker against the Pumas in the opening Rugby Championship Test.
Cooper has every reason to try to make a point in the Mendoza match on Sunday morning (AEST) after the former Australian coach effectively tried to end his Test career five years ago.
There’s still no love lost but Rennie, who took over as Wallabies coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, said the history between the pair hadn’t been raised.
“We haven’t spoken about the Cheika thing at all … his focus is on playing well for us and we expect him to do that,” Rennie said on Friday after naming his side.
Cooper steered Australia to five wins from his five Tests last year but missed the losing England series through injury with youngster Noah Lolesio at 10.
Rennie felt the experience of 34-year-old Cooper would be key as the Wallabies look to improve t heir game management.
“Quade’s trained really well. His experience, the quality of his skill set is really evident when we train as well,” Rennie said.
“The impressive thing about Quade last year was we had a plan going into the game and he implemented it really well and we’ve got a clear plan this time as well.”
While Cooper gets his first chance of the year, Tom Wright will start his first Test match at fullback, preferred ahead of Jordan Petaia, who has been named on the wing.
Rennie said Wright’s form in the Brisbane Test, when he shifted early to fullback to cover for the injured Petaia, couldn’t be ignored.
“Tom was outstanding at fullback a couple of weeks ago,” Rennie said.
“He’s an excellent communicator, really good organiser of people around them and he’s just been in really good form.”
Jed Holloway will make his debut after being named at blindside flanker, while his childhood friend, uncapped prop Matt Gibbon, has been included on the bench.
Rennie is a big fan of the tackle-busting Holloway, who is equally at home in the second row.
The 29-year-old made a rugby resurgence this season following his return to the Waratahs after being dumped by ex-NSW coach Rob Penney in 2020.
“We’re really excited for him. He’s such a good man and he’s had a massive season for the Waratahs and deserves his chance,” Rennie said.
“He’s got a really good skill set, he’s an excellent lineout forward and he’s got a bit of an edge about him and we think that’s going to be important going into the weekend.”
In other changes, Folau Fainga’a will run on at hooker with Dave Porecki ruled out after a head knock.
Lock Darcy Swain, who was suspended for a head-butt in the first England Test, has been recalled to partner Matt Philip ahead of Giteau’s Law pick Rory Arnold.
Rennie confirmed Arnold, who has had a calf strain, would be fit for the second Test in San Juan.
Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau will resume their centre partnership from the UK spring tour in the absence of Samu Kerevi.
The Australians are well aware they need to match the physicality of a Pumas pack, who will be fired up by Cheika, who oversaw the Wallabies for five years.
Argentina are also riding high after upsetting Scotland in their recent three-Test series.
Rennie has opted for a 6-2 bench split, with Jake Gordon and Reece Hodge the only backs, in a bid to counter their rivals up front.
“You can always say it’s a bit of a risk if you lose a back early on and you’re under a little bit of stress but we feel the battle up front is going to be really important,” he explained.
“They’re a good side, they will be really combative.”
Wallabies: Tom Wright, Jordan Petaia, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (capt), Jed Holloway, Matt Philip, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa, Fola u Fainga’a, James Slipper. Reserves: Lachla n Lonergan, Matt Gibbon, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Reece Hodge.
Comments on RugbyPass
The shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely 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
6 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.
56 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.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 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.
11 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 comments