Wallabies wildcard Christian Leali’ifano has praised stood-down stalwart Adam Ashley-Cooper’s resolve and character in helping a patched-up backline prepare for their acid test against Scotland.
Leali’ifano has been pitched into the unfamiliar role of outside centre after injury, suspension and a late-night Dublin drinking session combined to rub four starting backs out of Sunday morning’s (AEDT) clash at Murrayfield.
Ashley-Cooper has been the highest-profile casualty of coach Ewen McKenzie’s controversial decision to stand down six players for the Dublin episode and is known to be upset by being “made an example of” due to his seniority.
Former Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell, a close friend of Ashley-Cooper, showed his disdain for the heavy punishments by insinuating, on his Twitter account, the worse crime was teammates dobbing them in.
But Leali’ifano painted the 90-Test back as a consummate professional by the way he’s helped tutor a completely new three-quarter line in training.
As well as coaching the Brumbies No.12 on refining his game for the defensive difficulties of No.13, Ashley-Cooper has been mentoring 20-year-old winger Chris Feauai-Sautia ahead of his run-on debut.
“He’s been absolutely fantastic since the day he was stood down,” Leali’ifano said.
“He helped out straight away with the whole team. The whole backline.
“We’re very lucky that he’s taken that approach and I’m very pleased he has as well.”
Without Ashley-Cooper, superstar fullback Israel Folau, with 13 Test caps, is now Australia’s most experienced outside back.
Leali’ifano, a vice-captain at the Brumbies and already a standard-bearer with the Wallabies, doubted the Dublin episode would tarnish Ashley-Cooper’s reputation.
“He’s a fantastic person and player,” he said. “He’ll continue to be that for us and someone I’ll always look up to in the side.
“There’s obviously a lot of disappointment with what’s going on but he’s rectifying that at training and around the place and I’m sure he’ll bounce back.”
Leali’ifano, who will regain the goalkicking duties from Quade Cooper, didn’t believe the Dublin fall-out – which also saw Nick Cummins, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Liam Gill and Paddy Ryan hit with one-Test bans – would hurt the Wallabies.
“We’re trying to build a strong culture here,” he said.
Rated a better No.12 prospect than Matt Giteau by wily Scotland coach Scott Johnson, Leali’ifano believed he could adjust his playmaking skill set to fill the No.13 hole left by Tevita Kuridrani’s suspension.
“Everyone has different strengths and I’m not going to be a Tevita or Adam Ashley-Cooper sort of centre,” he said. “I’m going to be the best 13 that Australia can have at the moment and that’s just try and play my game.”
JP
Guest
No slander just the truth...it hurts doesn't it? His report states leadership these guys know what is responsible and what is not ...as they say you do the crime you do the time..end of story!
Stuart wedlake
Guest
Nigel Imrie, I agree with everything you said. Drew Mitchell is no longer a wallaby and while we appreciate his fine displays in the old days, he shouldn't have rocked the boat when he knew he lacked the courage to name the dobber/s. People who are placed in a position of confidentiality should think of the team and country first before their own opinion and emotions. Be a man and suck it up Drew. We still love you. Also, the banned players should remember this day, not for the punishment they are copping, but for the ultimate sacrifice their coach is making. In dropping them, Ewen Mackenzie has put his job on the line as now he can't have the best team he could have. So boys, every choice we make in life has a chain reaction and your choices have not only blemished your own reputations, it has put your coach in the spotlight for the wrong reasons and most importantly, you have let us, your fans and supporters, down. We will support you come rain or shine, win or lose so please give us the same respect that we give you.
jutsie
Guest
your comment is so far off the mark its not funny. cully is one of the few journos left in the newspapers that actually provides match analysis. he is an irishmen living in new zealand so i find it hard to believe "he doesnt even follow rugby". just because u dont agree with his viewpoint dont slander the bloke
JP
Guest
Cullet is a journo looking to sell papers and push an agenda, I have heard he doesn't even follow rugby but like all these so called experts puts his two bobs worth in trying to create an issue. The boys when they see their leaders go home should have followed, there were enough signs yet they choose to ignore them and stay on the grog.....bad call now face the consequences
Fair go
Guest
This is good stuff. No outliers. Everyone gets the drill at some point. You have to like it. Maybe soon everyone will be focused on trying to get into a winning team! Boozing is for losers.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
The bottom line chaps is that each and everyone of the squad knows what is expected of them and that's it. The punishments were handed out, let's move on, Drew Mitchell and his someone dobbed someone in 'crap' is exactly that, he is no longer a Wallaby so don't stir the pot, EM's Wallabies are trying to build a culture that will take them to RWC and good on him!! Am sure AAC has moved on, and has thrown his weight behind the team, I am sure watching their brothers prepare for this must win test must be tugging at the heart strings if those who have let the squad down, they would note also the EM would rather risk losing a Test than lose the meaning of what it is to be a Wallaby. If that dosen't harden these guys resolve and bond the team then nothing will!! I support your decision 100% EM, keep up the good work!! I love my Wallabies!!!!
p.Tah
Guest
No one dobbed. Link just went around at breakfast and looked at what people were eating. Anyone who agreed to eat Quade's concoction of peanut butter and poached eggs on toast had to have been drinking the night before.
Westie
Guest
Who cares. They stuffed up. Move on
jutsie
Guest
thats the view cully took today. DOes it say a bit about the lack of clear leadership in the squad with all the chopping and changing of captians/VC's that the players did follow their current cap/VC and former cap/VC home when they left the venue? Interesting angle from cully i thought.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Were they dobbed in by another player? Does anyone know who the dibber dobber was?
Paul
Guest
Good point Rebel. Is it enough for the captain to be heading home at the unofficial bedtime to say to his troops "Right fellas I'm off have a good one", or should he have done more to persade them to get to their hotel rooms. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. Who knows, it's all just speculation which is all pointless at this stage. It is what it is, we go into a scotland game, coming off 2 previous losses, seriously undermanned. Maybe thats what Wallaby fans need to keep the ego in check despite the good win last week.
Rebel
Guest
Exactly right, but there is more than one leader. A lot of people are speculating as to the events. For all we know AAC was hanging around to ensure the players still out did not get in strife. That's leadership also, he may also have been suggesting they all get home earlier, none of us outside know. The other leaders could be questioned as to why they didn't do more to avoid this happening, again we don't know. We could come up with all sorts of theories, but really it is just a chance for the line to be drawn in the sand. The pointing of fingers should stop to continue building the culture they are after, that includes the fans and press who keep pushing their agendas.
Paul
Guest
At first I was really worried about LLF at 13, and defensively I still am. The one positive I see is having a skilled facilitator like LLF out wide to get the passes to CFS and Tomane and keep the relatively disrupted Scottish backline guessing. Attacking flair in the narrow passage led by Cooper and a second point of attack out wide feeding the wingers. Could be interesting...
JamesinSyD
Guest
We arent in a mess mate. Its not ideal but its not a mess. The named squad is good enough to do the job.
Justin3
Guest
I agree but let's face it, had he shown leadership while on the gas last week and got himself and the lads home prior to 330 we wouldn't be in this mess...not all his fault but as Moore said a few weeks ago the leaders could and should be doing more...
p.Tah
Guest
Good to hear. Something we'd expect from ACC anyway, he is decent bloke.. I hope the team fires on the weekend. The Dublin night was poor judgement, but we've all moved on. Bring on Scotland.