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Wallabies surprise-packet Quade Cooper is on notice to showcase his improved maturity and playmaking nous on returning for Queensland in Auckland on Friday night.
Five-eighth Cooper will pull the strings for the Reds against the Blues in a Super 14 trial with his confidence boosted by a breakthrough European tour.
His Test cameos at fullback, five-eighth and inside centre – highlighted by a superb individual match-winning try against Italy – duly impressed Australian coach Robbie Deans and Queensland counterpart Phil Mooney.
But both mentors have delivered sobering messages for the 20-year-old not to allow his international rise go to his head.
Mooney said Deans’ post-tour report card had warned that the mercurial Cooper needed to be more judicious in his option-taking.
The Waikato product knows he must improve his game management for the battling Reds to be a force and believes the six-week Test tour helped make him a more complete player.
“Coming back from a Wallabies tour, and a successful one, it is really good for your head space and gives you a lot of confidence coming into the Super 14 that I’ve improved and can improve even more,” Cooper said on Thursday.
“In training I’ve noticed an improvement in game management and being around guys like Matt Giteau and Stirling Mortlock really helps with the way you go about playing the game, the way you prepare and the way you manage yourself on the field.”
Cooper faces an interesting first-up test against a Blues outfit which has former Hurricanes playmaker Jimmy Gopperth at No.10.
Cooper will also have to run the Reds backline by himself with interim skipper and Wallabies inside centre Berrick Barnes given an extra week to overcome his knee injury.
Mooney said his five-eighth’s growth had been noticeable in pre-season training but cautioned him against overplaying his hand.
“It’s hard for any young player when you come back a level, the tendency is to be overplay everything and showcase what you’ve learned almost straight away,” he said.
“Sometimes they can come back and think everything has to revolve around them and be the catalyst for every attacking play. We’ve told him to focus on getting the basics right.”
The main talking point of the Waitakere Stadium trial is the return of former All Black Daniel Braid, who makes his Queensland debut against his old team.
It’s also a big game for young lock Rob Simmons can play himself into a second-row starting position for the Super 14 kick-off against the Bulls on February 14.
Reds: Mark McLinden, Digby Ioane, Morgan Turinui, Anthony Faingaa, Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Leroy Houston, Daniel Braid, Hugh McMeniman, Van Humphries, Robert Simmons, Dayna Edwards, Saia Faingaa, Greg Holmes (capt). Res: Sean Hardman, Laurie Weeks, Ben Daley, Scott Higginbotham, Poutasi Luafutu, Ben Lucas, Brando Va’aulu, Blair Connor, Rod Davies.
Blues: Paul Williams, Joe Rokocoko, Anthony Tuitavake, Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger, Jimmy Gopperth, Chris Smylie; Chris Lowrey, Onosai’i Auva’a, Justin Collins, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tevita Mailau. Res: Tom McCartney, Tony Woodcock, Dean Budd, Jerome Kaino, Taniela Moa, Tasesa Lavea, Rudi Wulf, Frances Smith, Charlie Faumuina, Winston Stanley, Grayson Hart, Michael Hobbs, Jamie Helleur.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.