Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has made some baffling selections since he took over in 2008, and some baffling quotes. But yesterday he out-baffled himself.
“Quade (Cooper) is a huge talent, he showed that last (Saturday) night, we know what he is capable of,” enthused Deans.
And in the next breath added Cooper wasn’t going to be among the final six to be named later today, or tomorrow.
In other words, Quade Cooper won’t be playing against the Lions after showing how to upset the tourists’ applecart at Suncorp.
A stunning decision that could well cost Deans his job. Flair is the only way the Lions can be beaten, they have far too much overall firepower to play safety-first rugby against them.
But Deans didn’t stop out-baffling himself with Cooper. Kurtley Beale was another.
Having categorically said Beale would be one of the six, he later added his inclusion was dependent on how he trained today.
And while there’s been so much conjecture about the make-up of the final six, Deans invited Beale, Rebels newly-signed half-back Luke Burgess, Brumbies inside-centre Pat McCabe, Brumby prop Scott Sio, and Brumby utility forward Peter Kimlin to Caloundra where the squad will train this week, before moving to Brisbane in the week leading into the first Test at Suncorp on June 22.
There’s five new faces, does that mean there’s just one berth left for the ‘big’ six announcement?
And will that be for open-side flanker legend George Smith who is making a rapid recovery from knee surgery?
Or is it for the Force’s utility forward Hugh McMeniman who was limping yesterday against the Waratahs during his comeback game after nine weeks out with a shoulder injury.
Baffling alright.
Frankly I don’t give a rats about selections so long as the Wallabies beat the Lions. That’s all that counts.
Deans knows better than anyone it’s his neck if the Wallabies lose. So to take the bold stance of his way or the highway is to sink or swim.
I have no problem with the selection of Beale, Kimlin, and the 20-year-old prop Sio.
Hopefully an early recall won’t affect Beale’s rehab program for alcohol problems. His health is far more important than playing against the Lions.
Kimlin had a blinder against the Rebels and Sio wasn’t far behind. Nor was Matt Toomua, who has missed out as well.
I gave Ben Tapuai and Kyle Godwin big chances of beating McCabe for the 12, although there’s no argument McCabe has the runs on the board.
But Burgess hasn’t, and he’s only just back from Toulouse where he’s been for the last three years.
He was a pedestrian half-back for the Wallabies and Waratahs when he left, and he showed nothing new for the Rebels against the Brumbies at the weekend.
Burgess is only there by default because Brumbies half Nic White, an automatic selection, is sidelined with a shoulder injury.
But his recognition highlights the lack of quality half-backs, with Will Genia the maestro and daylight second.
So I’ve left Ewen McKenzie’s quote until last.
In a thinly-veiled crack at Robbie Deans, McKenzie said after the Reds-Lions game – “All we did was present a way to put them under pressure.
“Whether someone wants to mimic that – we’ll see.”
Indeed we will.
nick
Guest
Justyn I understand all right it goes something like this "cooper will make mistakes yes, some of those mistakes will costs points to the opposition and give them the opportunity to put us under extreme pressure and probably turn that into points too. BUT he'll put a couple of behind the back or long skip passes that will look delightful and thats what really counts" Then there'll be something about cattle etc The idea that you'll score more points than he'll cost you in the long game is, in fact, nonsensical. The game simply doesn't work like that. To be successful you must cut your errors down and be able to play sensibly as well as with flair. Deans has decided that cooper tips the balance too far towards chaos and when he has other players such as Beale, Joc, AAC and Genia to provide flair and attacking nous he feels that the ability to tighten up and control the game (something he obviously feels he can bring out of Barnes) is the missing ingredient. Its pretty obvious really mate.
nick
Guest
how so mikeylives? He's proven himself a liability in major matches time and again and hasn't been in good form consistently since his return from injury, producing some TERRIBLE errors that would see him dropped off the radar completely by other nations but not these aussie battlers who obviously set the bar pretty low. His last true pressure filled match was the semi final against the ABs and he couldn't even kick off properly such was his breakdown. Suggesting Cooper is a major brain fader is hardly an incorrect analysis, please try and bring something to the argument at least?
Just the facts
Guest
This is stupid J2 Peer pressure is a key component Who were the supportive peers in Melbourne? Seems like our wise, mature BrandKJOC was out sharing that beer with KB.. Best that KB is in SYD with more responsible people
Just the facts
Guest
EagleJack. Wrong. There is nothing that QC can/could do to get selection. Understand King Dingo's rhetoric and psychology. It is impossible for him 'to Cooper' (ie. back down and lose face) at this point. May the tests begin!
Just the facts
Guest
King Dingo has really painted himself into a corner. Very sad personal strategy. Any route out - "To Cooper or not to Cooper" - now presents him with substantial loss of face. King Dingo has no flair, and is risk averse. He has convinced himself (albeit few others) that he has a winning squad. In this situation, his psychology is very transparent. He will stay the course, and go down claiming that he was right. This is much less painful than losing face by returning to Cooper.
Roland Chan
Roar Rookie
Flair will not beat the lions. Didn't the last two tours.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
J2 the man who knows nothing about nothing! Please share your valid insite?
Cattledog
Roar Guru
That's one possible outcome ;)
Fair go
Guest
David it is clear that Cooper is a high risk player. He is also evidently a problem in the wallabies group. Does anyone honestly say his current form is so much ahead of beale or oconnor that these flaws can be overlooked? I certainly dont see it.
Rob9
Guest
You know once upon a time, before the seasons became so cluttered, players would go a few months without game time before playing a test match. How is it any different? I'm not saying Beale's preparation has been anything close to ideal. But given what we've got (again due to injuries and Deans's selections), yes I'd be happy to see Beale start on the 22nd in Brisbane. And this 3 week Wallaby camp isn't a chance for Beale to catch up on a bit of R n R. Come the first test he'll be fresh as a daisy and no doubt raring to go. And despite a shaky 2011 and beginning of 12', he's the class of player that I have the faith in getting the job done.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Well said Sharon.
Justin2
Guest
Yet no one can say they are regular 10s or that it is their best position ;)
Justin2
Guest
Semantics but he still has the pick, whether he uses it wisely is anothern question
Justin2
Guest
Defence questionable? That's amusing...
Justin2
Guest
It's not nonsensical at all, y just can't understand it.
mikeylives
Guest
OK, he made some grammatical errors, but the reasoning behind your original comment is just R O N G wrong.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Given that the Lions dominated the scrums and the lineouts would you like to offer an alternative tactic that the Reds should have employed? I presume you won't.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
'But his X factor is something we will need.' Beale's mythical X-factor is a relic from the 2010 season. And any chance of it recurring is going to be reduced by him playing at 10 as opposed to 15.
expathacku
Guest
Yep fantastic result against France on the EOYT. And nice work scraping home against a 3rd string Welsh pack. Well done Deano.
Ra
Guest
Yep Jiggles and I'm looking to add one more by next winter season - Me !!!