Cooper must mature as a No.10: Flatley
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Former Australia playmaker Elton Flatley believes Quade Cooper needs to be in the national team but admits the fallen star must still learn the art of Test match rugby.
Flatley, who played 38 matches for the Wallabies at five-eighth and inside centre, says 24-year-old Cooper has some maturing to do as a No.10 before he can turn his enormous potential into international results.
However, Flatley said Cooper showed in his Super Rugby return from injury this year that he knows what areas need work.
Berrick Barnes was preferred by Robbie Deans over Cooper at No.10 for Saturday night’s opener against New Zealand with the Queensland star also overlooked for a bench spot as the fallout from his disastrous 2011 World Cup campaign lingers.
Flatley knows from personal experience the pain of being dropped but said keeping Cooper in the Test arena was the best way to help him iron out his chinks.
“Sometimes in Test matches you have to be a little bit conservative. Super Rugby is a little bit looser than Test match footy and just by getting out and playing more Tests he’ll start to learn that,” Flatley told AAP.
“Obviously Quade didn’t have a great World Cup and he’d even admit that, but he’s still a pretty young guy.
“He’s still got some development in his game in learning to control games and even sometimes underplaying his hand.
“When he came back for the Reds he played really well by doing all the things he’s really good at but even by underplaying it a little bit. Long term I think we’ll see him as the Australian No.10.
“He’s got that X-factor and he needs to be in the Wallaby team.”
Flatley was part of the victorious Australian legends team who conquered a team of New Zealand greats at golf at Oatlands on Friday.
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The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
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August 18th 2012 @ 8:19am
sixo_clock said | August 18th 2012 @ 8:19am | Report comment
Good points, but does he have it in him? In Quade’s mind is Rugby and his team the winner for having his skills or is he? That is not a subtle difference, it is the core issue. If he can adapt to the former then well and good however if it is the latter then he will always be a marginal player at this level.
August 18th 2012 @ 3:19pm
bennalong said | August 18th 2012 @ 3:19pm | Report comment
Quade has it and he’ll be back with huge improvement in defence
That’s the vital part that he needs to complete successfully
Test rugby can’t abide turnstiles or tolerate changes in attack and defence, though heading into the World Cup Deans kept the Tri Nations winning team much as he kept the winning Wales test team for this hitout
The Wallabies need cover across the park and Barnes played consistent, skillful footy and deserves his spot
I admired the quiet, respectful manner Quade has shown handling prodding questions from the press.
It’s a good sign
August 18th 2012 @ 3:32pm
Jerry said | August 18th 2012 @ 3:32pm | Report comment
I agree, Quade has it. Though apparently the police are questioning him about the manner in which he acquired it.
August 18th 2012 @ 10:13pm
Justin2 said | August 18th 2012 @ 10:13pm | Report comment
Very good Jerry, very good. Especially for a kiwi.
August 18th 2012 @ 10:14pm
Justin2 said | August 18th 2012 @ 10:14pm | Report comment
If tonight didn’t show that Cooper is the 10 for AUS nothing will. Barnes in the pocket and a woeful passing game. Sorry but thems thats the reality.
August 19th 2012 @ 8:40am
Bearfax said | August 19th 2012 @ 8:40am | Report comment
I suspect that Cooper learned a valuable lesson in the last World Cup and I think he’ll be a much better player because of it.
I like Barnes and think he must be in the team, but primarily at centre, though there’s no reason he cant switch with Cooper when the need arises such as with his kicking game. He’s also more conservative than Cooper and sometimes you need that. But Cooper has that X Factor that a top Rugby side needs and it was evident last night that it was missing.
The OZ team looked rushed and at times directionless and this contributed to the mistake rate. I thought the machine like precision of the Kiwis always had the Wallaby’s measure. Add Cooper to the mix and the Kiwis may not feel so comfortable.
August 19th 2012 @ 1:43pm
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | August 19th 2012 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
To be honest I was initially concerned about Cooper starting at Eden Park next week. Now my thoughts are ‘time to get back on the horse mate’.
Like him or hate him, Cooper (on his day) gives us the ability to break the line & score tries. Clearly though something needs to be done to sort out that impotent 12/13 combo. For me 10. Cooper 12. Barnesy. 13. Ioanne 15. AAC. Wings – Shipperley and next best available.
But let’s be honest. If we roll-up in the forwards & fail to be super combative, then we may as well stay home.
Oh and Robbie needs to start using his bench properly.
August 20th 2012 @ 6:17am
sph45 said | August 20th 2012 @ 6:17am | Report comment
Agree with ioane at 13. Has that been tried before?