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Quade Cooper turned in an 80-minute mixture of brilliance in scoring a second-half try, solid support play throughout, missed two vital kicks at goal, and bombed clearances that cost the Reds 14 precious points.
In the end those points didn’t matter as the Reds strode away late in the second half to beat the Rebels 33-20 at Suncorp, picking up a telling bonus point for their fourth try they clinched on the final hooter.
But the two charged down clearances within five minutes mattered at the time as Cooper pottered, gift-wrapping the Rebels a 17-13 half-time lead.
Having given the low moments he suffered, to answer the much asked question – yes, Quade Cooper must be in the final six squad members to take on the Lions.
I’ve been of that opinion all along, even taking into account his defence weaknesses and the off-field “toxic” comment that severely hurt his wallet.
He must be included warts and all. What Wallaby coach Robbie Deans thinks won’t really be known until June 11. But there’s a distinct danger in leaving him out.
Cooper’s 69th minute try was not only timely as it gave the Reds a 28-20 lead, but it was vintage Cooper.
How he got to the line was noteworthy in itself, but to become a contortionist to ground the ball back-handed on the line was extraordinary.
Last night first choice 10 James O’Connor made a couple of decisive breaks, tackled Cooper when he looked dangerous on the short side in the first half, and kicked well.
But nothing out of the box, and he can be profitably slotted in elsewhere in the Wallaby backline.
Cooper can’t, he’s a 10 or 0 – another reason for picking him.
While we won’t know Cooper’s fate for nine days, there are more immediate pressing problems for Deans.
The very in-form Scott Higginbotham immediately left the field last night in agony with a shoulder injury. He appeared after full-time with his right arm in a brace, It didn’t look too flash.
Will Genia suffered a shoulder injury as well, but stayed on to deliver the perfect long cut-out pass for Ben Lucas to score the bonus point try.
On Friday night three Waratahs finished the worse for wear.
Sitaleki Timani came off with a suspected broken thumb, skipper David Dennis a badly corked thigh, and Adam Ashley-Cooper a neck injury.
Now is not the time for an injury run, especially to key players.
More will be known this afternoon when the 25-man Wallaby squad assembles in Sydney to begin their three-week preparation for the three-Test Lions series.