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Quade Cooper has just 160 minutes left to convince Wallaby coach Robbie Deans he must include the fly-half in the last six squad berths to meet the Lions.
The first 80 tomorrow night against the Rebels will be the most telling, with his long-term half-back partner Will Genia beside him, and Deans’ number one Wallaby 10 choice James O’Connor opposite him.
The second 80 against the Lions on June 8 will be harder – no Genia who will be in Sydney with the 25-man Wallaby squad that includes James Slipper, Saia Fainga’a, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, and Digby Ioane.
Realistically, Cooper must shoot the lights out at Suncorp tomorrow night which will be the only common denominator of the 160 minutes available to prove his point.
And that should be a huge plus. There’s nothing more powerful than the Red faithful in full cry – and that’s exactly what they will do for favourite son Cooper.
But Cooper won’t be the only Red out to impress Deans.
Greg Holmes, James Hanson, Ed Quirk, Jake Schatz, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Fainga’a, and Dom Shipperley all harbour genuine aspirations to be among the last six.
As for the Rebels, they will be after a triple history-making run.
Two rounds ago they beat a South African side for the first time in the Stormers, and last time out beat the Waratahs for the first time in six attempts.
And they have never beaten the Reds.
Talking about losing, the Waratahs have lost their last 10 clashes with the Crusaders.
Not one of the tonight’s Waratahs in Christchurch has ever been in a winning side against the seven times champions.
The last success was the opening round of the 2004 tournament when the Waratahs ran amok to the tune of 43-!9, scoring four tries to one – coached by Ewen McKenzie.
Full-back Mat Rogers had a night to remember with a great solo try, converting all four tries, and kicking five from five penalties – for a 28-point haul.
Tonight is the Tahs’ very last chance to be around at the business end this season, and they desperately need the full five points.
This will be the last time the Tahs have their full roster with 10 of them in the Wallaby squad to assemble on Sunday, and Brendan Foley to be selected in the Australian World Sevens team.
That leaves Kane Douglas, Drew Mitchell, and Cam Crawford looking for big games tonight, with those six berths still available.
After the Tahs-Crusaders game, the Brumbies take on the Hurricanes at home tonight.
While they are bowling along on top of the Australian Conference, the Brumbies cannot afford any slip-ups.
After tonight they lose Ben Alexander, Stephan Moore, Ben Mowen, Christian Lealiifano, and Joe Tomane to Wallaby camp, leaving Dan Palmer, Scott Sio, Scott Fardy, Matt Toomua, and Jesse Mogg in search of those six spots.
This promises to be a fascinating Super Rugby weekend, spiced by the first game of the Lions tour on Saturday night in Hong Kong against the Barbarians.
But all eyes will be on Quade Cooper.
For the sake of rugby, the Reds, and the Wallabies, I hope Quade Cooper turns in a blinder.
Twice.