The Queensland Reds could yet welcome back injured star Quade Cooper for Friday night’s clash with the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium.
The Wallabies five-eighth, who is mulling over a big-money offer to move to France next year, has barely played this season due to two separate shoulder fractures but will take on the visiting South Africans if he can prove his fitness at training this week.
If he does, it will mean an unfortunate demotion to the bench for rookie playmaker Jake McIntyre, who enjoyed an excellent debut in Queensland’s big win over the Melbourne Rebels on Friday.
“(Cooper) hasn’t done any contact work at this point but those guys around last week would have seen him train. He’s been out there,” coach Richard Graham said.
“But clearly the Sharks have some big bodies.
“We’ll need to make sure we put him through every appropriate progression there is.
“We obviously don’t want to take a risk at the same time.”
Cooper is understood to be still torn over whether he should stick with Queensland next season, most likely on an ARU-approved flexible contract, or start a new chapter in his career with European club powerhouse Toulon.
His teammates are doing their best to convince him to ignore the latter option – particularly Karmichael Hunt, who said the opportunity to play with Cooper was one of the reasons he joined the Reds.
“We haven’t been able to do that for a number of reasons but as soon as he can get back – hopefully it’s sooner rather than later – I’ll be looking forward to building that combination with him,” said Hunt, who played at outside centre for the first time for Queensland in Friday’s 46-29 victory.
“We had a couple of months in pre-season when we spent some quality time out on the training paddock, getting to know each other’s game.
“Take nothing away from Jake and what he can do… his organisation skills, his options, that was all a plus for us on the night. We’ve lacked a bona fide 10.
“I’m pretty familiar with Quade. He’s unpredictable at times but you have to be on your toes and I like playing with players like that. Opportunities can come at any minute of the game.”
While Cooper may come into the side, Queensland have lost winger Lachie Turner (concussion) for the Sharks match, while Hunt, James Slipper, James Horwill and Liam Gill have all pulled up sore.
Hunt said it was the embarrassment of Queensland’s capitulation to the Crusaders a week earlier that drove the team to easily their best performance of the season against the Rebels.
But the code-hopper warned it meant little unless it was backed up.
“We felt we just needed to get out there and put some pride back in the jersey and our own performances,” Hunt said.
“Thankfully we did that – but it’s only one game.”
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
meh - give QC another week off - what is the rush? Rush him hack so we finish 13th 'cause that is so much better than finishing 14th? So was last Friday's performance a resounding endorsement of Knuckles over RG? The guys finally looked like they wanted to play.
Bfc
Guest
Ouch...! But though a big fan of QC (whats's that chorus from KC and the Sunshine Band.."please don't go, don't goooo, don't go away...") I would not like him to come back too early. Off the bench would be sensible...and as others have noted, Jake McIntyre has probably earned another decent run... QC is worth more to the Reds than just one game...
Brian USA
Guest
Hunt looked much better at 13 than 15. He disappeared for a good portion of the match, but when he was involved, he looked promising. Keeping the same XV this week will be key. The Reds have had so many variations in their lineup week to week (due to injury or suspension...) that they have not had any time to gel. JOC played well at 15, and CFS injected himself on to the game finally.
Woodsman
Guest
6 weeks is a very short turn around for a fracture. If it was the rwc final, sure but simply avoiding the wooden spoon is not a good enough reason to risk your career.
skipper
Guest
Rest him, let him heal up, the kid is capable and sharks know little about him, he is promising.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'd doubt that very much. Have you seen the casualty ward? The one thing i would not be sure of is the quality of medical staff.
Cynical Play
Guest
Lesson to be learned form bringing Toomua back too early on the weekend. Sports injuries take time, it varies a little between individuals, but the more time the better is a general rule. Anyway, I'm sure the Reds have much better medicos that me.
Kevin
Guest
I was going to suggest bringing him back with a game for his club Souths but then I remembered they are playing my team Bond University this weekend! Still the best number 10 in Oz - we just need him to get fully fit.
QldFan
Guest
And either of them over Hunt
Combesy
Roar Guru
Agree with everyone else's sentiments. Playing him off the bench. Give jake a good 50 minutes then bring on cooper. I'm hoping we can play the same XV as last week. Except for turnee of course, though I would prefer kuridrani over turner anyway.
QldFan
Guest
Yeah, Jake deserves another run after last match performance. Probably not a good idea to bring Quade back until he's had some contact in trainng
QldFan
Guest
Doesn't seem like it TWAS
Brisbane boys
Guest
Please come back via bench we need him to just be steady. Either come on and ice the game or come on and chase it leave the hard work to the tradesman.
Hoqni
Guest
He should return via number 14
Taylorman
Guest
Strain in his shoulder?hard to do in a rugby match where everyone's targeting it. Still think he's the only true oz international 10... Same with Genia at 9. But he had better not be returning early from injury...his confidence would be affected big time, so presumably he's put it into the tackle bags at least to give it a good test.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'd hope Quade only returned via the bench if he played this weekend. (Word is he won't).
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Have you watched him play since 2011 champ?
Daz
Guest
Yep give the young "gun" another chance. He featured in a stunning turnaround for the Reds. Drop him now and it sends a negative message to all the genuine triers and won't do much for his confidence. Graham is a nervous Nelly who can't make courageous decisions. Cooper has to come back via the bench. I just hope Connolly has got a good grip on this team now and can veto all of Graham's stupid decisions. That seems to be the case.
Karl K
Guest
Would like to see him return from the bench this week. I think he has recovered early? So they mightnt want to put too much strain on it.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Give the young Gun a chance, he was growing into the role, QC should rest up if he is laboring any chances if making the RWC. The Sharks would welcome him back and build a game plan around him, they will crucify QC at the moment, chill mate and get yourself right!