Why is Quade Cooper not in Robbie Dean’s thirty man squad for the upcoming Lions tour?
The simple answer? He is immature and confused.
There is no doubt that he is one of the most talented players in rugby today. He is mercurial in the mould of the great All Black, Carlos Spencer, who was either loved or hated depended upon which part of New Zealand you lived in.
Carlos had the same unpredictable quality that Cooper has, with many never knowing what he will do next.
This placed uncertainty in his oppositions minds, (and in many in his own team players as well) but this loose cannon mercurial skill won many games for the team he was playing in at the time.
Cooper, when at his best does exactly the same thing Spencer did, and is the sixteenth player on the field when on song, but again like Spencer, he has not matured mentally from sheer talent he has to matured guile.
His exclusion from the Wallaby thirty-man training squad is by direct result.
Not of how well he plays on the field, but the way he annoys people when trying to get on it. Spencer alienated himself from many Kiwis none more so than during the Blues win over the Crusaders in the Super 12 game of February 2004.
He had not endeared himself to half the country by snuggling up to the new All Black coach, John Mitchell and ejecting Andrew Mehrtens from the Rugby World Cup squad of 2003.
At the Rugby World Cup of 2003 he threw the loose pass that was intercepted by Stirling Mortlock, an action that decided the match and took the highly fancied All Blacks from likely winners to third place.
Both Spencer and Mitchell were fired by the New Zealand Rugby Union not long after.
When one looks at Cooper, the parallels are the same.
Cooper’s Rugby World Cup 2011 appearances for Australia were marred by not only the fact that he was a “Kiwi born” playing for Australia, but his pre-World Cup treatment of Richie McCaw did no endear himself to the hugh New Zealand crowds.
Had he had the maturity to simply say “sorry Ritchie” prior to the Rugby World Cup, it would have all blown away after the first All Black game he played.
It takes a long time to forgive and forget if you don’t.
Cooper has unpredictable abilities and talent, but has too much attitude.
His aggressive thinking game, combined with his skills make him stand out as a player, but the lack of humility and never saying sorry, leaves him out in the cold.
The belief held by some players and the attitude they portray inferring that they are bigger than the game, for example by suggesting to coaches that their team is toxic, does not build good relationships within the side.
Then going on to spit the dummy and threaten moves to rugby league and boxing only serve to rub salt into the wounds.
Sorry Quade, you cannot just sit back and wait to be invited into the team. You won’t be. You need to mature a lot more.
However should Quade Cooper take a big bite out of the big humble pie, remove the log of wood from his shoulder and throw away his very wet hanky, Deans would have him back like a shot.
To wait for Deans to leave the Wallabies and for McKenzie to arrive, may take some time yet, and all the while that wonderful and exciting talent wastes away.
As a last gasp option to everyone’s benefit and in the hope it gets through your head Quade, a quick phone call from one Kiwi expat in Aussie to another in South Africa, Carlos will tell you just how far pig headedness gets you.
You are not only hurting yourself and the Wallaby team, but the Australian rugby fans too.
Mike
Guest
"hung him out to dry" - what utter rubbish.
Pete
Guest
Deans has to pick quade. He is the best no. 10 in the country and his combination with Genia is unbeatable. If he doesnt pick him then he will always be remembered as a man who holds a personal grudge over the best interests of the team. Deans hung him out to dry at the RWC and successfully used him as a scapegoat for his failure.
Wheatman
Guest
Not many, if any.
Patches
Guest
What's wrong with being an All Black fan
Jerry
Guest
If Carlos Spencer was 'fired' by the NZRU after the 2003 RWC how come he played test rugby in 2004? In fact, Graham Henry selected him as his first choice 10 in the AB's first 6 tests of 2004 and it was only after he was struggling with the flat backline, and later in the year the emergence of Dan Carter as a 10, that Spencer decided to head to the NH.
Jerry
Guest
A Scribe from Christchurch? How many dudes you know write like him?
Kippa
Guest
It was a media and logistic camp! The jersey makers have quades measurements & who in their right mind would let QC near a microphone at a wallaby camp? You know exactly what the questions the media would ask him! Move on people.
ABC
Guest
You must be an All Blacks Fan....
Lannash
Guest
Quade Cooper is not as good a player as Carlos Spencer was, and even if he was, would still not be a reliable international player. Mehrtens was a better player than Spencer and there are several better options for Australia than Cooper. Besides, he still cannot be relied on to tackle when it matters and he is still suspect under the high ball.
maxxlord
Roar Rookie
This article is a steaming heap of manure. Please lose your keyboard at the earliest possible juncture.
SomeBalance Please
Guest
Like the others, this is a rubbish article. Go to a reds game or event and see who gives to the fans in a very humble way ... "the lack of humility" assertion shows no local knowledge
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
And I'd be throwing some equal blame Deans' way for the W-cup situtation ... he stoked the fire just as much ... and then left Cooper swinging in the wind .... surprising really for such a noted man manager
AdamS
Roar Guru
Wasn't a training camp. Was a logistics and marketing gig.
Mike
Guest
"The simple answer? He is immature and confused." All it proves is that, on balance, the selectors preferred Leali’ifano and O’Connor at the time they made the decision. The differences between in and out may have been wafer thin. In the case of flyhalf, I expect they were. The way Cooper and Foley have been playing, CL and JOC should keep an eye over their shoulder.
Impartial
Guest
Using old info for a new article (imo) shows unfair bias against QC. He is playing, tackling, and behaving much better this season. Read his tactful comments before the Chief's match. And who was it that took Mogg out at the end of that brilliant run in the first half with a great ankle level tackle. QC People keep harping on his mistakes. Is there any player who doesn't slip up at least once in a match?
Hoy
Roar Guru
I actually blame RIchard Graham for the game plans in the backs. His main move for the Wallabies was the second man play. His other move was the second man play. You can see it at the Reds now. They need quick hands to pull it off, which they showed on the weekend, but in Union, the second man play lacks effectiveness, because of the missing 10 metre gap. Players in Union are up quicker, and into the faces of ball receivers. I wish the Reds used more sleight of hand, like they used to in recent years, but now all they do is wide second man plays. Richard Graham has zero imagination.
jameswm
Roar Guru
1. Tackle in the front line 2. Otherwise, keep playing like you are. Having said that, it's possible it doesn't matter what Quade does, Dingo won't pick him anyway.
Sage
Guest
Cliche'd, inaccurate, regurgitated, dated tripe. Quade is the key if you want article hits but it takes a bit more than just that. This is just awfull.
Rebel
Guest
I think everyone should move forward on both the Cooper AND Deans front and get behind the Wallabies for a once in 12 year opportunity. All the predictions/speculation/made up crap prior to what actually happens is counter productive.
Shungmao
Guest
Blah, blah, blah.