Cooper needs to attack the gain line for Reds to improve

Cooper didn't miss a tackle against the "Saders and the ones he made were effective. IF all the Reds players could say the same thing it would have been a much better scoreboard,. The side-line commentary about what Cooper is or isn't doing is getting beyond farcical.

"Why try and push plays that arent there" When you are 20 points down against the Crusaders what else do you do ? Just keep on with the style of play then got you 20 points down in the first place ?

It started in Sharks game: - QC has started to express himself more creatively, mostly through good runs. - Starting the force game, he and WG started to throw high risk / inaccurate (forward) passes early in the phase count - It hasn't stopped since, and seems to have increased - It was exacerbated with higher risk plays chip kicks etc in last week's game. His efforts in this game effectively moved the game beyond reach. It has worked for him in past years, because: - when it goes right, the team can make metres and add points - when it goes wrong, the team defence and desperate tackling can hold the line But this year's defence isn't there to save the day. This is far from a secret. The halves should know this, and should play appropriately. As leaders in their team, the halves should play a more team based game - and let / get the forwards do their work. I think they will appreciate it. This will also let the pack understand no one else can save their day. The Lions in last week's match was a good demonstration of patience and holding onto the ball, especially in the 2nd half when holes start to appear.

Toomua didn't exactly set the world on fire at 10 for the Wallabies.

Couldn't agree more !!!

If Quade had JdV or Nonu or Jamie Roberts or Fofana outside him, it would be fun to see.

He needs a McCabe type ball runner, Wait we tried that and McCabe was castigated by QC followers. Are there any players in the world that are good enough to live compliment QCs sublime vision and skills.

Hahahha youve gotta be kidding his passing is useless and his decision making poor, Australia have got no hope of winning a RWC with him at 1st five as he gets worse when heat is applied. Good luck if you stick with him im sure the all blacks will be rubbing their hands together as he always falls apart when the play against him.

I saw poor Quade throw a number of passes into the ground on the weekend, think he has lost confidence...Genia's predictable telegraphed plays and insipid form isn't helping. Plus he can't just throw the ball to Digby anymore. They should sign JOC at 10!

The Reds scored 4 nice tries against the Crusaders and QC had a hand in most of them. QLD are missing 30+ tackles a match, have an unbelievably bad chase on their kicks and their forwards have little or no impact at the breakdown. Those are the problems I'd be looking to address, not some ill-conceived notion that Cooper suddenly isn't taking the ball to the line (pretty sure QC strolled to the line when he put Shipperly through for a try). If you are going to pick Cooper for anything, it is lack of accuracy with his wide cut-passes. He is getting picked off pretty regularly lately.

not a chance sadly.....unless toomua plays 10. we need calmness in big test matches

stop the witch hunt. Cooper is clearly the form 10 in world rugby right now

I wonder if this is the crux of his problems, since his injury he may have lost a smidgen of agility and acceleration and this can make all the difference. Cullen and Rokocoko experienced similar down turns in their careers, both players very fleet and agile of foot but age and injuries curtailed these natural talents. Outrageously gifted players can sometimes find it mentally difficult to adjust their game when they lose some of their natural advantages.

Grrr. Attack the gain line! FFS. The guy will do that when he gets ball in time and with space. Which is not whats coming to him this season. Poor bastard is being mugged for having played kid stuff two years ago. We saw in the UK what he looks like with decent ball. (Though personally I can't see him in the wallabies at 10 just now. Which is a pity. Move to nsw quade. In a swap with the waratahs board of directors - all geniuses.

You have to laugh. The "its everyone elses fault that Quades playing poor at times" people are really sad. You guys REALLY need to come to terms with Quade being erratic and a player that can win or lose you a game because this is happening.

Well said!

Taking it to the line is a tad oversimplying but in theory if QC is evidently considering taking it to the line it does make the defence act in a predictable way, which can be benefical early in a game. You are 'training' the opposition to react and not to think. Theoretically. But QC goes wide too early, I have seen it a bunch this year and this is wrong, for many reasons. He asks alot of his 13 early in the game, he can be read early, the defence has the legs to action rush defence thereby chancing the intercept and it shows predictability, and while passing is commendable as opposed to kicking often, (from a possession point of view) it is easier for a 10 to reposition than it for others outside of him and thus flat line attack results which means less time to create a play. QC has been very good at changing direction in attack rather than the traditional straightening of the attack but this year has not been able to create attack like he has done previously. His positioning in the deep contributes to his misreads of space into the second half of games. I think WGs lack of running has made attack static and readable aswell, but while related has been discussed elsewhere. Genia's input will be be discussed before too long though. QC has a great step and needs to use it to make even incremental gains.

Unfortunately Quade does not have the mental fortitude to try and control a game even when behind he runs the backline he makes the calls. In a tight situation who would you like to have running the backline for me it wouldn't be Quade.

Barrett has not been anonymous in previous years. He has been very good, good enough to have attracted the attention of the All Black selectors and several suitors from other clubs.

That's actually just very smart play by the Crusaders. Surround the kicker, no one interfered with him, they just stood their ground as they are allowed. But it meant chasing the kick was slowed tremendously.