Quade Cooper displayed many of his sublime skills but finished red-faced in his Super Rugby trial return as Queensland outlasted a spirited young Blues outfit on Saturday night.
The Reds scored seven close-range tries to five by the physical Blues to win an entertaining pre-season cobweb-duster 41-35 at a packed Toowoomba Sports Ground.
Part-time boxer Cooper mixed mostly good, with some bad and ugly in his 60 minutes on the field in his only hit-out before Queensland’s Super Rugby campaign kicks off against the Brumbies in Canberra in a fortnight.
In his first rugby appearance in five months, the Wallabies playmaker set up a long-range break with his first touch of the ball – an inside pop pass to Digby Ioane – and also produced some signature jinking steps and flick passes.
But his last two acts on the field left a sour taste in Cooper’s mouth as he was one of many barrelled by powerful winger Albert Nikoro and then stripped of the ball just minutes later.
Both mistakes led to Blues tries as John Kirwan’s young team stormed back into the contest to trail 29-28 at the three-quarter break.
Cooper’s goalkicking, given the duties for his sole pre-season trial ahead of sharpshooter Mike Harris, was more rusty – slotting just two from five.
Harris immediately showed he was the man for the job by landing one from touch as the Reds closed out the topsy-turvy match.
The signs were promising for the Aucklanders who are attempting to rebuild under new coach Kirwan following a forgettable 2012.
The Blues had a 14-0 lead by the first drinks break with prop Angus Ta’avao and lock Ronald Raaymakers both bustling their way over after set pieces near the line.
But Queensland’s pack muscled up to run in three close-range tries to forwards Adam Wallace-Harrison, James Hanson and Radike Samo in the last 12 minutes of the half.
Wingers Rod Davies and Luke Morahan were among the Reds best performers while halfback Nick Frisby and young flanker Liam Gill impressed after the break to build up the 29-14 advantage.
mania
Guest
handles - yes and the bad
Handles
Guest
You mean where Scott says "Quade Cooper – looked to be back to his best – good control of the game and his footwork was superb.." Yep, sounds like his usual form.
Handles
Guest
You can only play the team the other coach selects. Reds have tried everything, recent years they have played the Crusaders, Brumbies, Force, Tahs, and played in Darwin, Cairns, and now Toowoomba. Reds still hopeful of 40k members this year. Already well over 25k.
mania
Guest
sound like cooper is in his usual form.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Yes Scott is very good. He gives credit where it is due. Noticable that he emphasises how Cooper is back to directing play and his footwork and passing rather than the negatives of having a ball stripped and missing goal kicks.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Agreed. My more 'colourful' response has been held back..
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Agreed, his analysis of forward play is very good. There are nuggets of gold at g&g but really it's a Moore Park circle jerk.
Justin2
Guest
Scott knows his stuff, I always check into g and g for his video analysis during the season. Puts a stack of work into his reviews too. Frankly his work belongs on here rather than other muppets on here....
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Cheers for that. My old man was up there last night. His phone call this afternoon consisted of 'UJ is pants, Anae may be ready, and I'm glad Cooper doesn't have a haircut like O'Connor.' Some how i think this gives me a better idea of where we stand.
Justin2
Guest
For a decent review of the match - http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/match-report-reds-v-blues-trial/
Lippy
Guest
Snap was going to post something similar but you beat me to it. The Blues left Plethora of senior players at home, it was a good hit out for the debutants though.
Cruise
Guest
Hightacle for the love of rugby, stop making a fool of yourself as you did on AB.com. Show some respect.
Justin2
Guest
How good was CfS? Must have been so good he was invisible, even to the selectors ;)
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Did you guys see Christ F'Sautia in action against the Blues? This guy is going to be an absolute Superstar ! Queensland 'State of Origin' side: 1. Ben Daley 2. Stephen Moore 3. James Slipper 4. James Horwill 5. Rob Simmons 6. Scott Higginbotham 7. David Pocock 8. Ben Mowen 9. Will Genia 10. Quade Cooper 11. Digby Ioane 12. Ben Tapuai 13. Israel Folau 14. Dom Shipperley 15. James O'Connor 16. James Hansen 17. Greg Holmes 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison 19. Liam Gill 20. Ben Lucas 21. Chris F'Sautia 22. Luke Morahan Left Right Out 1. Drew Mitchell (can't cut the mustard anymore)
kombiutedriver
Guest
Soft trials ........ soft start to the Super 15 season ....... then a dose of brutal physicality against the SA or NZ teams. That's how an Australian franchise ended up in the bottom third of the table the past few years. Let's see how all the teams stand about Round 8.
Malo
Guest
Its only a trial guys except that Folau is the new real deal and Cooper like Mundine is yesterdays hero and just a mouth. See th wuss he is fighting should be a laugh.
glacier
Guest
Red Block The Waratahs next 2 trials are against the Blues and the Crusaders so Link is doing nothing different to Cheika.
atlas
Guest
cannot read much (anything?) into such a game - the Blues team was very different to their 'A' team: featured 18 new caps, and missing many first choice players, including Charlie Faumuina, Ali Williams, Piri Weepu, Keven Mealamu, Anthony Boric, Rene Ranger, Charles Piutau, Culum Retallick and George Moala. Similarly, Crusaders played five new players in their forward pack yesterday. (v Hurricanes) Experience for those new players, and little else.
Cattledog
Guest
A few too many 'hightackles' me thinks :)
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Does that mean that John Kirwan is even more of a cunning coach by playing the Reds and away from home? :(