Quade Cooper returned to almost single-handedly guide the Queensland Reds to a 32-10 Super Rugby win over the Western Force in Perth, pressing some World Cup claims in the process
The star five-eighth has spent the past two months on the sidelines with a fractured shoulder, but scored 22 of the Reds’ 32 points in the victory over the Force at nib Stadium.
Cooper scored two tries, kicked three conversions and another two penalties in an outstanding all-round performance, combining sweetly with halfback Will Genia.
Cooper’s creativity and skill helped the Reds control the contest virtually from the outset and his flick pass also set up a first half try to Lachie Turner.
The win means that the Reds now move seven points clear of a Force team that seems destined for the wooden spoon.
Queensland finish the season at home to the Chiefs and away to the Waratahs, while the Force host the Brumbies and travel to Melbourne to play the Rebels.
Cooper will thus have two more Super Rugby matches to impress Wallabies coach Michael Cheika ahead of the abbreviated Rugby Championship and the additional Bledisloe Cup Test.
The Force dominated early possession and territory and earned three points to Sias Ebersohn, who later left the field with an apparent injury to his ribs.
But from that point it was all the Reds.
They had one try to inside centre Samu Kerevi disallowed but just minutes later he set up Cooper for his first five-pointer of the night.
Cooper added a conversion and penalty before setting up Lachie Turner for a try just before halftime with a clever flick pass.
The Force did get some relief, however, prior to the break with a good try to fullback Dane Haylett-Petty.
That didn’t stop the tide rolling the Reds’ way, though, and it took just seven minutes of the second half for Turner to eventually run in his second try that Genia and Cooper set up.
Then in the 63rd minute a blistering pass from Genia set up Cooper for his second try of the night. When he converted the Reds led 32-10 and that’s where the score remained.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
It's a start . If he keeps playing like that he will get the job. Tahs game will be huge and may decide it. I'm still saying foley but qc can knock him off if he keeps going like that.
Tricky Dick
Roar Rookie
Serious technical inquiry. First, I was not coached by Knucks, but instead by an ill-tempered Kiwi. If I'm understanding correctly, in addition to the "pillar" and "post" defenders, the key to the rush defense around the ruck is pressuring the inside shoulder of the 10 channel/first receiver with the third or fourth defender (In our A-B-C,1-2-3 setup, it was the "C", preferably a back row). Pillar and Post are instructed not to rush explicitly in order to secure the tackle zone. Isn't the 9 darting laterally trying to get in the space created in the 10 channel by the rush, or is it really about the pillar/post ruck defense?
Roberts
Guest
Excellent point. The incumbent wallaby halves struggled against the force this year with their breakdown disruption tactics so a good game to judge the Reds halves. If they play like that against the Chiefs and Waratahs they will surely be in the starting side.
Funk
Guest
Need a loan?
Go the Wannabe's
Guest
A champion team will beat a.....
rl
Guest
Squirrel, just to balance it out (as a QC fan) I'll say that it was good to see, but agree with other posters who say its too soon to proclaim the return of the messiah. Next few weeks will be more telling.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Coleman made a lot of tackles. Hardly huge impact though. People have rightly dismissed Horwill as now only having work rate. On Saturday night he showed impact and work rate. Coleman made a lot of tackles and that was about it. Just an edit, Coleman had 17 tackles which was good, but in the context of his team it was not exception as Hodgson had 20, Charles had 18 and Faulker had 16. Shouldn't be rewarded for simply his team have a poor game plan. Greg Holmes with 20 tackles and Adam Thomson with 15 is exceptional in a team that had all the ball however.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
We can denigrate the opposition, but how well has Bernard Foley played against that same opposition twice this year?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nah mate. He was selected there because the two stronger flyhalves in Australia weren't available for 10 for most of 2014. Cooper due to injury (last 5 tests were all he was available for) and Toomua due to being the first choice 12. McKenzie actually trialed Beale there for 2 games because Foley's form vs France was indifferent.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No Mike. You don't get it. You are right, it's not all about the backs. But Cheika had close to the best forward pack he could field last year. That's what we need to deal with in the forwards. The only improvement available is in the backs.
Bakkies
Guest
It's not all about squad names, it comes down to how you mould a team of what you have. Working out what they are strong and weak out rather than foisting a style of play on them that they must adhere too.
Bakkies
Guest
'At least Genia had a few snipes that got things rolling at times but he continues to step and hop before the pass and is too often looking for his receiver.' It depends on what the defence is doing and what angles the rest of the attackers are trying to penetrate. You also get switches on the point of attack due to defenders moving or even going down injured. Rugby is not as sympathetic as Football where the attack boots it out when there is a defender down.
Karl Knuth
Roar Pro
Really like the look of that backline Melon! Throw in Skelton, Higginbotham and Vea from the forwards and we're starting to look like a big and fast attacking team.
Karl Knuth
Roar Pro
Have also always been coached that way combesy, though not by knuckles. I was always taught to either pass straight off the ground or pick and step forward so as to check the defence.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
You even disagree about disagreeing !!! ; how long you guys been married ?
Bakkies
Guest
Would of been better had he played Premier club Rugby on his comeback?
Bakkies
Guest
Haha
Rugby Tragic
Guest
I dunno Peter... look t the Lions and the Highlanders,... at the beginning of the season, very few 'big names' .. Ackerman and Joseph seem to have clicked with their respective players. Something has gone amiss with the Force this year ... I would have thought a significant part of that was due to their coach's inability to get them up. The Rebels have been the surprise package this year in Australia in my opinion.
LikesRugby
Guest
Wow squirrel praising Quade... Honestly Didn't see that coming... Just curious if you feel that Quade might be worth a shot at the RWC after all?
PeterK
Roar Guru
running sideways before passing gives time for the rushing defence to get to the ball receiver so in fact it is worse. They all come up in a line so running sideways gains you little. Only if they advance in a broken line and gaps appear is it worthwhile.