Quade can play way into Wallabies squad
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Quade Cooper can play his way into the first Wallabies squad of 2012 by standing tall in the Test-like intensity of Saturday night’s Super Rugby blockbuster at Canberra Stadium.
Cooper produced an impressive 40-minute return from his knee reconstruction in Queensland’s 34-20 win over the Lions but will face a far sterner test in what is a virtual play-off battle against the Brumbies.
National coach Robbie Deans is due to name his extended squad for next month’s Tests against Scotland and Wales on Sunday night and will take particular interest in the mercurial five-eighth’s efforts in Canberra.
All three Wallabies selectors – Deans, Tony McGahan and Andrew Blades – plus assistant coach Nick Scrivener will attend Saturday night’s clash.
While former Test skipper Rocky Elsom will reportedly be a high-profile omission, officials are adamant the training squad of about 40 has yet to be finalised.
Deans has indicated Kurtley Beale is set to wear the No.10 jersey for the back-to-back Tests on June 5 (Scotland) and June 9 (Wales) following his eye-catching form for the Melbourne Rebels in the past month.
Despite being sidelined for seven months, Cooper can grab a place in the squad, and possibly add to his 35 caps in the three-Test series against Wales, by showing he’s up to the task in the high-stakes clash against the Brumbies.
A home win will see the Brumbies jump 12 points clear on the Australian conference with four rounds left while the Reds can cut the gap to four, with a four-point bye to follow before the June Test window.
“The more rugby he plays the better,” Deans said of Cooper.
“Every fixture between now and when we settle on the Scotland combination (Sunday week) has meaning.
“This fixture this week is fantastic.
“I just hope they don’t obliterate each other because there’s a very big incentive. There’s a big incentive within the tournament itself and a big incentive to press for Test selection.”
A host of uncapped Reds and Brumbies players can also push themselves further towards Test contention at Canberra Stadium.
Brumbies forwards Dan Palmer, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper and Ben Mowen are all in the frame for Wallabies debuts while backs Nic White, Joe Tomane and Jesse Mogg have also produced eye-catching Super Rugby form.
Reds backs Mike Harris, Luke Morahan and Dom Shipperley can join teammates Will Genia and Digby Ioane in the squad with strong displays.
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The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
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May 26th 2012 @ 3:39am
bluerose said | May 26th 2012 @ 3:39am | Report comment
im gonna laugh if the ARU/Deans have no other choice but to bring in Giteau and Luke Burgess, thats gonna irritate the hell out of the passionate and loyal Australian fans…………..
May 26th 2012 @ 6:06am
Miglia said | May 26th 2012 @ 6:06am | Report comment
I saw Burgess play last week (on TV) and he was so ordinary. Not much chance to evaluate Gits in the Toulon/Biarritz game as nobody ran the ball they just punted it back and forth, back and forth, and Barnes handed out penalty after penalty. Wilko and Yachvili put on a place kicking coaching session but if I want to watch a game where no tries are scored I can always watch the Tahs.
May 26th 2012 @ 10:10am
Blue Blood said | May 26th 2012 @ 10:10am | Report comment
I Have always found it objectionable when coaches selects his old favourites when they have neither the form or fitness to have earned a Wallabies jersey. The most obvious example was Rocky’s selection last year where he used Wallaby caps to play into fitness. Those caps should have gone to the form players of the season. Deans has often said that reputation means nothing and that form will dictate selection. He has recently said that he will be picking players who make a real impact for their teams week in week out. Based on these statements there are many previous Wallabies who should make the team. Horwill, Cooper, Rocky, Ashley-Cooper, McCalman, Brown, Maafu to name but an off the cuff few (please free to add many more). And there are players who deserve just reward for their contribution to their teams and their talent. Hodgson is one example who has played unbelievably well the last 4 years and has carried the Force with Pocock and Sharpe. And the recognition and reward he has for his standout, award winning performances? Such limited opportunity that you would think he was part of the coaching staff as their Training specialist. I for not one minute expect Deans to select Hodgson this year, but I bet he does select a list of his coffee time favourites over more deserving players.
May 26th 2012 @ 11:27am
sittingbison said | May 26th 2012 @ 11:27am | Report comment
Couldn’t agree more BB, I find it incredible Rocky, Cooper and Mitchell are even mentioned as Wallabies when they have not played a game. What about selecting on form and performance. Perhaps they are taking a leaf out of cricket selectors.
Matt Hodgsons treatment by selectors and rosters belittling him is a disgrace.
May 26th 2012 @ 3:04pm
PeterK said | May 26th 2012 @ 3:04pm | Report comment
Deans would also look at players who made a real impact for HIS team ie the Wallabies, ie the form players at INTL level.
Cooper played really well until the RWC where Deans very poor tactics did not take advantage of his strengths.
Mitchell prior to injury was also the form test winger (and form super player).
Of course they should be considered for the squad.
May 27th 2012 @ 9:57am
sittingbison said | May 27th 2012 @ 9:57am | Report comment
the problem with that Peter is it was a year ago, and neither has played since.
May 26th 2012 @ 10:21am
Ben W said | May 26th 2012 @ 10:21am | Report comment
Rocky should be Captain again. His form has been excellent in recent weeks and althought the Tahs have been ordinary his contribution has been excellent.
May 26th 2012 @ 11:21am
sittingbison said | May 26th 2012 @ 11:21am | Report comment
Surely you jest BS