Wallabies recall Cooper for second NZ Test
In 13 seconds and 26 words, Quade Cooper made his dramatic return to the Wallabies.
The five-eighth was recalled by coach Robbie Deans to face the All Blacks in Saturday night’s must-win Bledisloe Cup clash at Eden Park.
Shortly after the announcement, Cooper delivered a stunning performance at his media conference at Leichhardt Oval.
After being prompted by a journalist with an opening question acknowledging he was back in the team, Cooper responded with one quick statement and then a walkout.
“That’s all I want to say is, I’m back. I’m fit, healthy – I’m ready to go. And I’ll see everybody at Eden Park,” was all Cooper would say.
He then placed the Australian Rugby Union microphone he was holding on the ground as he marched away from the media scrum.
As he walked away, he was asked if he’d like to answer any questions.
Cooper responded with a quote “no that’s it”.
And he kept on walking.
Cooper hasn’t played a Test since he endured the most controversial of World Cup campaigns.
Hounded by the New Zealand public, the Kiwi-born Cooper failed to deliver on the field and ultimately ruptured his knee.
Cooper was left out of Deans’ squad for last week’s opening Rugby Championship clash with New Zealand in Sydney.
He will line up at No.10 in Auckland with Berrick Barnes shifting to inside centre.
In other major team news, fullback Kurtley Beale was dumped to the reserves bench.
Cooper is set for a torrid reception and the Wallabies will be hoping their star five-eighth will deliver a longer lasting performance against the All Blacks than he did in front of the cameras.
© AAP 2013The Crowd Says (2) | Page 1 of Comments
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August 23rd 2012 @ 6:58pm
Harryonthecoast said | August 23rd 2012 @ 6:58pm | Report comment
Well Roarers and much of the Press have been telling the Wallabies to stop talking up their games. Quade does it…..and now we await the reaction. It won’t make much difference to his performance iMOp. He will still be flakey and the EP crowd will still give it to him in spades. Deans will regret this.
August 24th 2012 @ 7:33pm
NZealanders "LOVE" Cooper said | August 24th 2012 @ 7:33pm | Report comment
Cooper is the best motivational tool the ABs have ever had when it comes to the Wobblies. Hansen just replays Cooper’s “great” sportsmanship in HK to the ABs pre-game and K Read will be ready to smash Cooper into next season like he did Pocock…BUWAHAHAHA!!!