Just as the Wallabies team seemed to be taking shape as the June Tests approach, Queensland threw a spanner in the works by starting Quade Cooper at fly-half for the Reds on the weekend.
Now the question on everyone’s lips is, “Who gets the 10 for the Wallabies?” My answer; not Quade. The Wallabies must avoid the a rush of blood and leave Quade out.
You may be thinking the reasons are simple. He’s far from 100 percent match fit and will no doubt still be clearing the rust. No. My reasons are different.
Quade is and always will be a gem… at club level. The Super Rugby competition continues to change year in, year out. It’s getting faster and far less structured. Teams are playing attacking rugby like we have never seen. Even our friends in South Africa are getting in on the action and scoring tries like never before.
Everything about club rugby these days screams for a player of Quade’s caliber. He thrives upon the open play and especially the play as you see it mentality.
I, like everyone, am overjoyed to have him back. Watching him play and trying to comprehend his process of thinking is worth a ticket alone, but people are quick to forget the happenings across the ditch at the World Cup.
Australia was average at best; Quade looked out of sorts and a close semi-final loss to the eventual champions was more than Australia deserved.
Quite simply, international rugby has not evolved like club rugby has. The game is a lot slower (especially at the breakdown), and when it comes to the backs everything is a lot more structured. A game built for All Blacks legends, Richie McCaw and Mr. Consistent, Dan Carter. Not Quade.
Quade plays naturally for the Reds. It just doesn’t happen the same way for the Wallabies. This is in no way down to his ability. His skill set is built for club rugby, not the grit and grind of international rugby. Simple as that.
All of this isn’t to say we should never select Quade for the Wallabies again. He is young and will no doubt continue to mature. He may still be our best option long-term.
But it’s post-World Cup and the June Tests are the perfect time to experiment. Our squad is young, and if there is one thing we have on our side, it’s time.
My opinion: James O’Connor must get first crack at the number 10.
sittingbison
Guest
didn't contradict myself as Beale played several years at 10 for Tahs, and is now playing 10 for Rebels. Sure he is the incumbent test fullback, but is playing 10 right now. Didn't mention Cooper because I think I stated elsewhere and many others have too that he has played precisely 40 minutes this season, could not possibly be match fit, and has done nothing to warrant selection other than past glory and reputation. He WAS the best 10, and most likely will be again, just not right at this moment. Not got a problem with Judas, just pointing out I think he is not a natural conductor but is a natural soloist. Because he is a great player he can fill in at 10 like he did, but I would not want him there full time, put him where his natural game and inclinations are best utilised, as you point out wing or 12. Some say he has defensive liabilities for 12, but I always thought his defense was pretty good, its just recently it has fallen away. He needs to be part of the action and if the ball doesn't get out to the wing his talents are wasted.
Brad
Guest
I was thinking the same thing 'dc of nz...
Sam
Roar Rookie
Liking the feedback. Cheers. I'm not saying International Rugby will never change like Club rugby has. Having a player like Quade. I really hope it does. I just think post-world cup is the perfect opportunity to explore our options.
Sam
Roar Rookie
I was referring to Super Rugby when I say club rugby. Correct. The competitors in the Super Rugby comp are in fact "Clubs." Sorry if it was misleading. And yes. I didn't make it clear that JOC is my long term option at 10. I still think we should experiment against the Scots and Wales. A few classy performances from Quade will only paper over the cracks. When the intensity steps up. Quade has failed to do the same on the International stage. How long can we afford to persist with him?
Gpc
Guest
Great article. Did you come up with all of that yourself? In quade's defence, he had a forward pack going backwards, and centres that offered him nothing in attack. Also, where was Beale or another back to take a clearing kick from time to time. In closing, the entire squad under performed, and it started at the top. Poor selections and tactics have left quade the scapegoat
dc of nz
Guest
A close semi final loss? cough cough, thats not how we saw it. i thought it was another Black shut-out. sorry if that comes across as a troll....
Roarest?
Guest
Ummm zac holmes???? JOC out and so is lealiafano :( so zac holmes -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
PeterK
Guest
There are 2 reason Cooper did not shine in the rwc, despite a very good TN's. The first is the forwards were beaten, even Larkham struggled without front foot ball. Carter rarely has this problem but when the forwards were beaten he looks a lesser player as well. The second is Deans game plan is to kick, kick and kick some more. He doesnt let Cooper play his natural game.
PeterK
Guest
you just contradicted yourself. You said we should stop trying to reinvent players AND then reinvent Beale as a 10 instead of a world class 15. I would rather have Morahan at 15 than Mogg. Mogg was good at the beginning of the season but has fallen off. JoC is solo when he has a weak backline like the force. But when he played 10 for the wallabies he set up the outside backs and was a real playmaker, he threw long wide passes. This was on end of season tour, he killed it against WALES. What is wrong with Cooper, you did not mention him? Cooper is still the best 10 and if fit I would play JoC at either 12 or wing.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
Let's add to that Deans conservative games plans and you get a better picture...
jeznez
Roar Guru
RK - love the have a go ya mug, go down swinging - thought. It is all I hope for from the Tahs in the remaining matches, given they are not even a mathematical chance of making the finals anymore. I wish they had tried it from the start of the season. I always love the old Bob Dwyer line when told his team had been very brave to throw the ball around the way they had in order to chase down a lead and victory. He said that it isn't brave running the ball while chasing a game, it is brave to run it from the start.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Whoops - I should have read down first Dasher. I came to the conversation late and made the same joke in a reply up above.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Rusty - was that a typo? I think Foley's instructions have been......
jeznez
Roar Guru
That game was a bit of an exception. Let me know when the women's lacross is on - I wouldn't mind seeing some of that.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Before Quade is considered for the top level again, I want him to own his defensive channel. Deans implemented that requirement once before and it worked. Not sure why he changed his mind going into the WC.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Deans will probably put Pat McCabe at 10.
sittingbison
Guest
disagree on Judas as 10 PeterK, his natural inclination is solo not conductor so put him where his natural game is most effective. Same deal with Giteau when he insisted on playing 10 and screwed the Force. We should stop trying to reinvent players and put horses for courses, select guys that actually play in the position. That leaves Barnes Lucas and Harris, ZHolmes and Seymour have played two games between them. Lucas for me, but I would actually play Beale with a new guy like Mogg at fullback, this is how you build depth
Jutsie
Guest
I used to have this opinion on beale but if you actually watch his last 3 games for the rebels he has seriously improved his game at 10. He doesn't have the bullet like precision of cooper's long passes but his getting there. And he has also shelved the dumb chip kicks. His first half against the force was sublime, he had a hand in every try. Just listen to kafer rave about he didn't overplay his hand. And unlike QC he makes his tackles too.
Touko
Guest
Nice :)
PeterK
Guest
agree. Beale is a world class f/b. At best he is a stop gap 10. He does not organise the outside backs, and he does not have a good long pass especially left to right. He plays 10 for himself, runs too much, and chip kickcs for himself. This works at super rugby level against some teams. Barnes has been terrible since his migraine. He makes the backs worse with his poor kicking and passes too high or behind. He does not take the line on and telegraphs hsi pass by turning his shoulder well in advance of the pass. The best flyhalf we have is Cooper, followed by CL who is injured followed by JoC who is injured. I would rather have Lucas as a stop gap 10 leaving Beale at 15. For Scotland start Lucas at 10 and have cooper on the bench. Start Cooper against Wales