- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Suncorp Stadium reunion of red-hot Queensland halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper has the Springboks on edge ahead of Saturday night’s must-win Tri-Nations clash.
Genia’s return from a broken hand to partner Reds teammate Cooper for the first time from the start of a Tri-Nations Test has not only lifted the confidence of the Wallabies but also helped force a change in South Africa’s plans.
The Springboks, desperate for victory following two losses to New Zealand, identified the Queensland pair as major threats on their home ground where they were the most exciting and dangerous players in the Reds’ Super 14 resurgence.
Since then Genia and five-eighth Cooper have only played one Test together, when the halfback broke his hand early in the surprise 21-20 loss to England in Sydney.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was on Tuesday reluctant to bring back all of his players returning from injury at the same time, leaving hooker Stephen Moore on the bench and also overlooking rangy flanker Scott Higginbotham and winger Cameron Shepherd.
But the Genia-Cooper playmaking combination adds an extra dimension to the Australian attacking game.
To combat it, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has taken a selection gamble by choosing specialist No.8 Ryan Kankowski at flanker in one four changes to make his side as fast as possible.
De Villiers noted their 2010 statistics showed the Brisbane ground, where the Springboks have lost their past six matches, was the quickest in the southern hemisphere.
“Of all the Super 14 teams and the surfaces that are used this is rated the quickest one,” he said.
“We know they can run the ball and they are very quick across the field so we opt to bring some speed into our team.”
A major reason for such an assessment of the venue must be put down to the efforts of the Reds backline, and Kankowski and halfback inclusion Ruan Pienaar admitted Genia and Cooper were central.
Pienaar said the mercurial Cooper’s bag of tricks made the Wallabies more unpredictable than the All Blacks.
“I thought (Genia) was the best No.9 in the Super 14 and he was outstanding together with Quade Cooper so it’s a big challenge for not only myself but the whole team to have our eye on him,” Pienaar said.
“He and Quade have for a year or two together and they have gelled and I thought they really led the Reds team well this year.
“(Cooper) brings something new. We all know he’s a good stepper and he’s got great feet and he’s got those funny kicks so he’s a good all-round player so we have to watch him all around.”
The Australian Super 14 player of the year, Cooper’s best moments were produced against South African rivals and he hinted it was due to their extra size up front.
“The South African packs are big and massive and it makes it a bit easier to move around when you are facing such a big pack like that,” he said, adding it would be a massive test of his defence.
“Having a big, fast and physical back-row, I’m sure I’ll have to bring my shoulder pads this weekend.”
Prop Benn Robinson (broken forearm) and lock Nathan Sharpe (shoulder) return along with Genia while the unavailability of Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes has seen winger Drew Mitchell recalled a fortnight after he was dumped from the 30-man squad.
Deans has also switched James O’Connor and Adam Ashley-Cooper with Ashley-Cooper reinstated at fullback to counter Springboks flyhalf Morne Steyn’s big kicking game.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.