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Cooper uninspiring in heavy Toulon defeat

23rd November, 2015
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Quade Cooper for Brisbane City. (Sportography)
Roar Guru
23rd November, 2015
152
3707 Reads

After impressing in his Top 14 debut against Montpelier a fortnight ago, Quade Cooper had a forgettable night at the RICOH Arena as Toulon were thumped 32-6 by Wasps in Pool 5 of the Champions Cup.

Bad passes, failed restarts, missed tackles – all the hallmarks of a staple Quade Cooper poor performance were on show as Toulon were outmuscled, outwitted and outplayed by a Wasps side that earned a well-deserved bonus point win to go top of the pool.

After demolishing Leinster last weekend at the RDS, Wasps got off to a scintillating start as fly-half Ruaridh Jackson sent Nathan Hughes crashing over in the corner before embarking on a brilliant solo effort just a minute later.

Jackson made something from nothing with a superb chip over the Toulon defence, and after some nice interplay with lock James Gaskell, the Scottish five-eighth raced clear untouched to add the hosts’ second try in quick succession.

Jackson’s try set the tone for the evening as the Wasps’ primary playmaker largely outpointed Cooper for the majority of a very one-sided game. The former Glasgow Warrior was composed, calculated and played within his means to guide his team around the park.

Jackson benefited from a strong performance from halves partner Joe Simpson, who provided quick, clean ball. Simpson and Jackson combined well and are developing a steady understanding for the Londoners.

While Jackson and Simpson’s chemistry is still in its embryonic stages in the absence of Jimmy Gopperth, former Auckland Blues outside backs Frank Halai and Charles Piutau demonstrated their familiarity with one and other as the former combined brilliantly with the latter to finish off a scintillating long-range try.

Hughes secured the bonus point late on, benefitting from a strong Wasps maul to score his second try of the game.

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James Haskell and George Smith were also strong for the hosts, but it was late replacement Gaskell who proved the difference for Dai Young’s side – the 25-year-old was immense in the absence of Bradley Davies.

While Cooper was poor for the visitors, he was not the only member of the star-studded Toulon side who failed to fire. Steffon Armitage, Bryan Habana and Matheiu Bastareaud were all far from their best, with Armitage hooked 20 minutes from time for the much-needed Duane Vermeulen.

The lumbering South African number 8 added some spark for the visitors, but it was too little too late as Wasps cruised home.

The loss sees Toulon move into fourth place with a game to play, after last weekend’s fixture with Bath was postponed.

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