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.
BRUMBIES: 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.
jameswm
Guest
Slow news day Andy You're better off cracking jokes with them (the media I mean)
Rockin Rod
Guest
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
AndyS
Guest
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.
Kinghitz
Guest
He may move to Cell 13 soon :-)
ballboy
Guest
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?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Ha, I wouldn't trust Robbie Deans telling anyone where they should go in a backline. This side is so doomed.
Rockin Rod
Guest
I think QC would be a briilliant 15. Massive boot, counter attack would be something to see. Last line of defense questionable but he did improve his D 100% on tour. Again then AAC goes to 13 which would be good and Digby on wing
Brett McKay
Guest
Pablo, it got me too. I even thought it made a little bit of sense, and to maybe move Ashley-Cooper to 13 permanently....
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
Bad Headline. I thought it meant Quade "The Alleged Burglar" Cooper, not AAC.
Jameswm
Guest
I wish a lot of them would keep their mouths shut. Most of the Tahs learnt that under Link, but Drew Mitchell's a quote a day at the moment.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
So Adam Ashley-Cooper said that Robbie Dean "basically said" to him that he was "a fullback now". Is that really an indication that Adam is going to be the Wallabies fullback from now on? Or even the fullback in the next match the Wallabies play? Slow news day? Or is this Adams way of hinting to Andy Friend where he wants to play? I reached the point of being sick of reading Adam Ashley-Cooper quotes a long time ago. Sorry. He's a good player. But I wish he'd keep his mouth shut.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
I'm sick of Deans' inconsistency in selection. I hate how Giteau alternates the five-eighth position with Barnes/Cooper, depending on what side of the field he is. I can accept it's better to have a right footed kicker in some situations, and a left-footed kicker in other situations, but in my opinion that kind of rotation is the biggest reason for the Wallabies getting the kicking bug last year... and they kicked a lot! And I hate how Australia hasn't had consistent selection at fullback. Even worse is that Ashley-Cooper played well in Europe and really should hold the position down for a while. But no Deans just has to fiddle around with the position. The Wallabies need consistency in 2010. They need to be more consistent in performance. They need to put opponents to the knife - how many times have they led the All Blacks at half time in their last seven matches? And they need players putting a stamp on certain positions. They need Deans to be consistent in selection. Deans is reminding me of Knuckles Connelly's experimentation cira 2006/07. That's not good.
CraigB
Roar Guru
Whilst I agree it should help - There has been NO rule change. The refs have simply been directly to be stricter on a law that has always been there. You have never been allowed to play the ball until your on your feet no matter how quickly you get up.
Mike G
Guest
Yeah S-B, you've hit the nail on the head with that last comment...The new rule will give guys like AAC & the wingers more chance to run it back...At least, it sounds good in theory
Short-Blind.
Guest
Agree Hoy - thats why I said his kicking game (short particularly) has to improve a fair bit to be considered a world class 15. He needs to be more selective and look in front of him before he chooses to do an up and under. Maybe he was just following Dean's game plan but I, like you, was constantly pulling my hair out when he blew a good running counter attack opportunity (with men in support) with an aimless up and under. Good players and coaches learn and adapt and the learning rate last year was very slow. The S15 rule change where the defender has to totally release the tackled player and get to his feet before being able to attack the ball again should encourage more running counter attack because of the reduced risk of being stripped and isolated in the one on one situation.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I think AAC could be a good fullback, but probably not a great one. If he can cut out his up and unders, he is dangerous running the ball back. But if he runs out of ideas like he did early on in his fullback career, then he is fairly ineffective at the back, just running forward 10 metres, then hoisting another stupid, go nowhere, up and under.
Rockin Rod
Guest
I am guessing this may well decide which state union Gerrard comes back to next year. Gerrard best position with out a doubt is 15 so in that respect AAC would again be pushed to another position, more likely 13 with the departure of Stirling. Not ideal situation going into a RWC. These players need to be playing S15 in their test position. I agree Shep is a great fullback but he is playing wing for Western Force with JOC at 15. Crazy. Maybe this may push Shep to 15 at Melbourne,is he off contract?????
Short-Blind.
Guest
Based on his performances in the UK, which were much more solid and consistent - as required of a international 15, I think Deans has done the right thing. AAC's attack and defence were pretty damn good and his positional play much improved however his kicking in general play is still not right up there and this would be the area he needs to work on most to become a really world class 15. He also needs to back himself a bit more (ala Latham) because his ability to break the line and attract defenders is excellent. Finally he needs to more consistently pop the pass to support players (if they are there) instead of going to ground when he makes half breaks. All in all probably the best we have got at present in this position. The next best is Shepherd who is much in the same mould but a much better kicker...not sure if Deans rates him but I would like to see him given a go at 15 as well. Not that I've seen him play there but Shep is also big and talented enough to play 13. IMHO digby is a winger only - seemed a little lost at 13 in the UK.