Wallabies skipper James Horwill is tipping maligned playmaker Quade Cooper to deliver the match of his life in Sunday night’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks.
The intense pressure on New Zealand’s public enemy No.1 rose a couple of notches on Saturday when a hamstring injury officially ruled attacking ace Kurtley Beale out of the big trans-Tasman showdown in Auckland.
Cooper was off his game in last Sunday’s 11-9 quarter-final triumph over South Africa, but Horwill has no doubts his enigmatic Queensland Reds and Wallabies teammate will deliver at Eden Park.
“I think he’ll have the best game he’s ever had,” Horwill said.
“He’s just been training very well. He’s had a fantastic preparation. He’s been controlling the boys well and he’s just looking forward to it, as we all are.
“It’s not just about one bloke. Everyone’s pretty keen to talk about one person, but it’s about the group going out there and getting the job done and I know Quade’s keen to get the job done.”
Cooper’s recent history of run-ins with New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is sure to have the All Blacks baiting him, but Horwill said he didn’t need to remind Australia’s influential No.10 to ignore the niggle.
“Everyone is understanding what we need to do and how we want to play,” Horwill said.
“We have had a good week of training and the boys are prepared to go at it tomorrow night.
“The mood’s been really good. The boys are all really relaxed, looking forward to it.
“Obviously we understand the magnitude of the game at hand, but everybody’s been very relaxed and pretty calm about what’s coming ahead and I think that’s a good sign.
“You don’t want to be walking around too stressed and uptight.”
Despite being without master five-eighth Dan Carter, the All Blacks remain warm favourites to advance to their first World Cup final in 16 years.
But victory over the world’s top-ranked team in the Tri Nations decider in Brisbane in August, and two wins out of their past three matches against the All Blacks, has instilled a quiet sense of belief in the Wallabies.
“I don’t think we’ll be weathering any storm. We’re planning on playing our brand of rugby and not being on the back foot,” Horwill said.
“It’s a World Cup semi-final so we need to start the way we want to.
“There’s been a lot of build-up around it and now it’s time to just get on with it and I’m just really looking forward to the game.”
Beale lost his week-long battle to be fit and tweeted his scratching on Saturday, but remains hopeful of making the final if the Wallabies make it.
“A little unlucky but that’s rugby. Not giving up. Ran well today,” Beale said.
“Iv got faith in the boys who have got the opportunity tomorrow night.”
Adam Ashley-Cooper takes Beale’s place in what will be the 27-year-old’s 20th Test start at fullback.
Crash-tackling Anthony Faingaa will line up in the centres alongside Pat McCabe, with Rob Horne promoted to the bench.
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.
Outgoing Waratahs coach Darren Coleman says he’s “sorry and embarrassed” that he couldn’t lead the Super Rugby franchise to more success, but the affable…
Suliasi Vunivalu has received a one-match ban for his double trips in the Queensland Reds loss to Fijian Drua. The Wallabies winger was handed…
There are three rounds left in the regular season and it’s do-or-die for several sides, including the seven-time back-to-back champions the Crusaders. Who’d have…
Anyone who has read things I’ve written in rugby forums before knows that I am the guy who bangs on about junior rugby participation…
In eight weeks or so a Wallaby will run onto the smooth field in Sydney with a number 15 on his back to set…
In Joseph Heller's wonderful novel, Catch-22, the title refers to an insoluble logical dilemma that faces the hero Yossarian in his efforts to avoid…
