Deans indicates Cooper will be playing fullback
By Jim Morton, 2 Feb 2010
- Tagged:
- Adam Ashley-Cooper, Andrew Smith, Ben Hand, Christian Lealiifano, George Smith, Guy Shepherdson, Josh Valentine; Stephen Hoiles, Mark Chisholm, Matt Toomua, Pat McCabe, robbie deans, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, Salesi Ma'afu, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Super Rugby, wallabies
A simple, and deserved, acknowledgement from Robbie Deans has Adam Ashley-Cooper ready to finally drop his Mr Fix-It tag.
So impressed by Ashley-Cooper’s consistent and instinctive play at fullback in late 2009, Wallabies coach Deans told the utility he’d arrived as a Test No.15.
One of five Wallabies set to make their first 2010 appearance for the Brumbies against NSW on Thursday, Ashley-Cooper is now desperate to make the position his own leading into next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The 25-year-old has played centre and wing as well as fullback since making his Super rugby debut in 2005.
He’s also played in four different positions at Test level for two of the last three calendar years but, after shaking off a challenge by James O’Connor, gained an extended run at fullback in the failed Grand Slam tour.
“I really started to feel comfortable,” Ashley-Cooper told AAP. “Obviously doing a lot of work with Robbie during the Test season to really improve my game and become an actual fullback, and not a utility player, helped.”
Although happy to be the ultimate team man, Ashley-Cooper’s grand desire to be a long-term outside centre disappeared when the former All Black fullback gave him the compliment he required.
“He basically said `you’re a fullback now’, that’s all he really needed to say and all I needed to hear,” he said.
“It was pleasing in a way. I haven’t had that all my professional career.
“I’ve always been chopping and changing, which I love, but I’m now at a stage where I have to nail one spot I think because it’s only going to benefit the team.
“Staying in the one spot is always nice, it allows you to improve as a positional player.”
With veteran Mark Gerrard now playing in Japan and Stirling Mortlock with a point to prove in his return from injury at outside centre, it’s important Ashley-Cooper excels at No.15 for the Brumbies.
He’ll start there against the Waratahs while fellow Wallabies Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Stephen Moore and Mark Chisholm were also named to return in a strong Brumbies pack.
But Test captain Elsom is under an injury cloud due to a recurring hamstring niggle which has him 50-50 to play.
With Matt Giteau (quad) racing time to be fit for the Super 14 opener against the Western Force on February 12, young playmaker Matt Toomua will start at five-eighth and Christian Lealiifano at inside centre.
© AAP 2012BRUMBIES: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Andrew Smith, Stirling Mortlock, Christian Lealiifano, Pat McCabe, Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine; Stephen Hoiles (capt), George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Mark Chisholm, Ben Hand, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Salesi Ma’afu. Res: Huia Edmonds, John Ulugia, Justin Harrison, Mitch Chapman, Henry Vanderglas, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Francis Fainifo.
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February 2nd 2010 @ 6:00pm
ohtani's jacket said | February 2nd 2010 @ 6:00pm | Report comment
Ha, I wouldn’t trust Robbie Deans telling anyone where they should go in a backline. This side is so doomed.
February 2nd 2010 @ 6:07pm
ballboy said | February 2nd 2010 @ 6:07pm | Report comment
The other question to ask here is, “Is it really Dean’s position, 10 days out from the start of the S14 season, to be leaning on players and coaches in respect to positional play”. I’m sure Friend takes it all (the press) with a grain of salt as well as having some private and constructive chats with Deans regarding the future of the game here in Oz. However, it is now time for the players in the 4 Aussie franchises to listen to their week in week out coaches and keep their mind focussed on that. What happens now to AAC if Friend decides to put him at 13 or the wing. Deans – back off and keep your watchful eye on them and let the season unfold.
Personally, I think AAC is the best 15 we have in the country at the moment and agreewith the above. he’s much better with ball in hand than the gary owen / long roost option.
What sort of team are the Tahs putting on the park Thursday night. Anyone heading down from Sydney for it?
February 2nd 2010 @ 7:56pm
Rockin Rod said | February 2nd 2010 @ 7:56pm | Report comment
Tahs have selected 30 players for the trial game.
Hickey has to cut the 3 scrum halves to 2. Mowen first game back in 6 months. Will come on at 7 for Waugh maybe last quarter. Interesting to see the two academy boys in Douglas and McCaffrey getting a good run with top squad and will play S14 at some stage this year ahead of higher profile players. Barnes 10, standard, hangas 12.
Brums no Gits and no Rocky, looking good for a Force upset rd 1
February 2nd 2010 @ 6:17pm
Kinghitz said | February 2nd 2010 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
He may move to Cell 13 soon
February 2nd 2010 @ 6:28pm
AndyS said | February 2nd 2010 @ 6:28pm | Report comment
Man, the axes are all out for grinding aren’t they? Did AAP separately interview AAC and Deans? No, they didn’t – they interviewed AAC and HE said that Deans was all “you’re a fullback”. Seriously, no chance it was actually “You’re the fullback for the rest of the tour”, or “If you wanted to specialise you could do worse than look at fullback”? For all we know it was “You’re the fullback until someone better comes along”. Maybe someone should actually ask Deans what he said, because frankly all this article is is AAC trying to put pressure on Andy Friend.
February 2nd 2010 @ 8:11pm
jameswm said | February 2nd 2010 @ 8:11pm | Report comment
Slow news day Andy
You’re better off cracking jokes with them (the media I mean)