Well what a few weeks for the Wallabies. Two great wins in Torino and Dublin, followed by six players stood down and another nine on warnings after some Irish cheer in Dublin on a Tuesday night.
Tough love seems to be in style at camp Wallaby and to be honest it probably isn’t a bad thing. Had we had a good season, a slight bending of the rules (let’s be clear, this was slight) could be forgiven.
Did the crime fit the punishment? Who cares! Standards are in place and a line has been drawn.
Onwards and upwards from here boys, hopefully with a few better timed Guinnesses after a win against the Scots.
The most surprising thing wasn’t the names on the list, but one name that didn’t feature – Quade Cooper.
It seems that Cooper has realised that a clean pair of heels and a ball on a string aren’t going to take you to the heights of where he is destined; to be one of our best ever.
There was a lot of criticism of making Cooper vice-captain for this tour. More proven and more reliable players, and those more certain of selection, were readily available.
Cooper had only just won back the jersey from Matt Toomua, an injured Christian Lealifano was on the comeback trail and there are two other former Wallaby captains in the side, James Horwill and Will Genia, who could have easily slotted into the vice-captain’s role.
Ewen McKenzie however opted for Cooper, which now looks like a masterstroke.
Cooper’s on-field performances have been back towards his best, not only in producing the magical touches but also managing the game.
His kicking game over the past few Tests, both attacking and defensive, has been better than it was in 2011, his watershed year.
He is taking it to the line more, putting his support on the front foot rather than dancing his way around a defender then passing to a flat-footed support player.
His defence has improved markedly, with tries scored in his channel coming more from misreads than poor tackles. Not perfect, but better.
It’s off the field, though, that there has been a dramatic turnaround. We all read about John O’Neill’s famous blow up after the Wallabies were held scoreless in New Zealand a few years ago.
I could just imagine Cooper mid-tweet as he sheepishly put his phone away.
Last Saturday he was on Twitter straight after the game again. This time however it wasn’t a ‘selfie’ from the dressing room but someone in the stands posting a photo of Cooper, still in his kit out practicing his kicks at goal.
This European tour will be the making of the man. Something I now think he can call himself.
chochie
Guest
Next year he'll win Australia the Bledisloe cup and become best player in the world....you all heard it here first
Rob G.
Guest
So the roar should only be for the players best friends then. Give yourself an uppercut mate.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Recent Wallaby wins against very strong opposition show that he is the best 10 to ever lace on a boot. And, he managed to go through a season without doing anything stupid... give the bloke a medal!!! So he is playing ok and and not being a chook. And many people carry on like he is some sort of god walking the earth?? Please. Three cheers for doing what you were meant to do.
AlanKC
Guest
The fact that he was reportedly on the field for 2 hours, after the Ireland test, practising his kicking says volumes to me.
Billy Bob
Guest
Some good points here. It's only early in the fella's 'resurrection' but I, for one, was hoping for, and half expecting, this turnaround in Quade's form. I somehow felt he could do it. I've never been impressed by the overstated negativity he has copped over the 'dark' years. So much prejudice against one person for admittedly silly behaviour. Then there's that little nation that outdid all the ignorance and tall poppy syndrome that Australia could dish out to him. If there ever comes a day that the booers leave the ground in tears, after the beloved nuns have lost due to QC brilliance, it won't just be Aussies who will cheer. (While of course I appreciate the many ABs and fkiwi ans who have called for the crowd childishness to cease) But it's still early days. The witch hunt attitude has only just expired. And it's still not over for some, as can be seen on this thread. Again, its only early. But I am happy that someone so derided on both sides of the ditch (and in Britain, when Lions supporters openly stated they'd hoped he would be selected) is now showing the fruits of someone who has worked through an extended period of massive public criticism. Now that the witch hunt is over (for most of us), can we move onto rugby now?
Chan Wee
Guest
he is still "jekil & hyde"., good old coops. late in the 2nd half, he garbbed the ball from Kearney and hit his head from behind , then ran away with the ball :) not the kind of behavior from the VC of OZ. Last week thought he shud be the captain , (becoz IMO Mowen does not deserve to start) but that kind of actions ....hmmmm
Daz
Guest
I thought long and hard about commenting on Quade. But here goes. When I studied consumer behaviour I came across a term called "locus of control." What that means is that some of us are motivated by external factors and some of us are motivated by internal factors. Some of us derive validation and self respect from others, some of us are capable of doing it all by ourselves. Quade is definately a confidence player. He derives confidence not from some force inside himself but from others. He played his worst when the kiwi public expected and wanted him to perform badly and I suspect by that time he had lost the confidence of his team mates. To take on a whole nation was false bravado and someone in management (as much as I respect Dean's judgement in other matters I blame him) should have pulled him up and told him to pull his head in. Contrast that with now when he has paid his penance and his coach has publically given him a vote of confidence. Just the same the true test will come against the Boks and the darkness. Hopefully by then McKenzie will have done a proper reconstruction of his psyche.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Make or break will be next year whe n he will have to be good against the frogs, abs and Boks. This tour is a confidence booster . Link has done well with QC management so far
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
BRAIN DEAD COMMENT ---- SUCH A CHARACTER FLAW YOU HAVE KPM
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Rob G -- the best comment you could offer is none at all - because your mouth is in gear and your brain is not.
Chan Wee
Guest
my mistake Brandon Lee is son of Bruce & Linda Lee :) tnkx for correction cheers
Pete
Guest
You obviously didnt see him play against the ABs did you.... He played well in a loosing side and didnt take a backwards step. Just because we didn't win doesn't mean he didn't play well. That just sounds like a personal grudge... is that you Robbie Deans?? Good article. I have the same feeling. This will be the making of QC will he be great or the greatest? ;)
JamesinSyD
Guest
Seems to me he played very well against the nuns recently. He played so well the masses of bogans in the crowd almost stopped booing enough to appreciate it.
Westie
Guest
Dumber than a box of hammers. I like that. Good on you for giving credit where it's due. Hopefully others will follow coopers lead.
Pete #205
Guest
I was one who was positively against Quade's involvement and may have even called him "dumber than a box of hammers". But, if I had a hat, I'd be eating it. He has played better and behaved better. The dropping certainly pushed him to change, but I don't think it's a coincidence that now, in his mid twenties, he's entering that age when mental maturity starts catching up with athletic ability. He is our best option at 10 at the moment, without a doubt. Here's hoping his all-round form carries on for the next few years.
Qldfan
Roar Rookie
Some pathetic people are still booing QC two years on!
Qldfan
Roar Rookie
So what does being "part of the Mundine crew" mean in practical terms? Is that meant to be a detiment or what. Oh, and what do you know from personal experience about the "Mundine crew", as opposed to what you may have read in the papers, which always print the "truth" How do you know QC will go back down when you don't know the bloke, or don't you acknowledge that everyone has off days, and/or go off their game from time to time.
linz22
Guest
I don't post often but read a lot and have to say that i am getting thoroughly sick on KPM's posts. Not because i read them, i don't need that senseless negativity in my day, but because i am sick of them infecting so many other posts that i end up having to skip about 50% of the comments on every article. So please KPM, have some respect for the roar community and take some time to self reflect and consider the effect of your negativity.
Rob G.
Guest
I don't think you all understood. Quade is part of the mundine crew. And he's hopefully sorted himself out like they have. I was giving him credit. But no I don't know him. Nor do I need to. Poor argument
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Goodness me give it a rest KPM. You must be blind, deaf, dumb and mentally challenged if you can't answer that question for yourself. I always appreciate a good troll, unfortunately you're not trolling, you're just drolling and no wonder you've been stereotyped as a twit by 90% of this site. How can you expect people to take your arguments seriously when you do make a valid point when you keep posting this rubbish. By all means support the AB's over the wallabies, but take the condescending attitude back to your cave