A bemused Michael Cheika has defended his decision to persist with mercurial playmaker Quade Cooper at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Cheika’s gamble to pick the polarising No.10 in last weekend’s Bledisloe Cup decider proved a disaster with Cooper shouldering plenty of blame for the hammering at the hands of the All Blacks.
Former coach Robbie Deans’s similarly stubborn persistence with the enigmatic No.10 backfired spectacularly at the last World Cup.
The Kiwi-born playmaker embraced his villain status as New Zealand’s “public enemy No.1”, Cooper’s meltdown ultimately costing the Wallabies in their semi-final exit against the All Blacks.
After placing a media ban on Cooper at the Wallabies’ 31-man squad announcement on Friday, Cheika leapt to the five-eighth’s defence.
“I don’t know why people are quizzing that selection. He’s been a long-time player for Australia and I think he’s done well for us,” Cheika said.
“He can obviously improve like all our players can.
“I think it’s just an easy stereotype to have a crack at him.
“As a coach, I evaluate what’s in the game, not what’s written or tweeted or whatever.
“We see some improvements we can make in him over the next few weeks that will get him playing better in our system.
“I’m really comfortable with selecting him and I don’t think there was a question on it.”
The 55-Test veteran Cooper is one of two specialist five-eighths in the squad along with Bernard Foley, while Cheika has Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale and Matt Giteau who can all play No.10.
Cooper’s second-half sin-binning last Saturday night all but ensured the Bledisloe Cup stayed with New Zealand.
He was shown a yellow card – for the second time of the Wallabies’ winter campaign – in the 48th minute for a high shot on All Black Aaron Smith as the halfback was set to score a try.
A penalty try was awarded which gave the Kiwis their second five-pointer of the night before they crossed twice more while Cooper was in the bin.
The Queensland Reds’ star copped a hammering from fans at Eden Park, continuing his frosty relationship with New Zealand crowds who booed him mercilessly during the 2011 World Cup due to his run-ins with All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw.
Mike
Guest
No I mean the NZ press. When I refer to the Daily Telegraph, I see no need to write that it is ultimately owned by a company headquartered in Delaware. It is an Australian newspaper writing for an Australian audience. Same goes for the NZ press. And no, I'm not defending Quade. The only comment I made about him is that he played a small role in the kerfuffle.
SP
Guest
“As a coach, I evaluate what’s in the game, not what’s written or tweeted or whatever." Michael, you've just destroyed the fantasies of so many keyboard warrior, Claytons rugby super coaches.
union
Guest
Quade only needs to get 5 more tests to qualify for selection while playing overseas. He will get these and then play for france while avaliable to sell his services back to Australia . Aru has paid alot of money to qc and are hoping it will pay off eventually. This situation works out better for qc than australian rugby.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Yes, which is why I'm advocating Toomua at 10, not Foley. Foley is still better than Cooper, if only because his bad games are just mediocre rather than catastrophic.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
Horwill offers nothing . Skelton offers hope.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
Best manager , worst player.
dropkick
Guest
Nic white should bail on aus rugby if he dosent get in its a joke genia is a has been and the other phipps is a choker What does he need to do beat the abs twice ?they didnt give him chance
dropkick
Guest
Yeh its not l.ike he was king hit ..its cooper remember not mike tyson ..just drama from the media or over sensitive followers
Joe
Guest
I rather listen to Kearns, McKardle & co. I find Gordon Bray to be a little biased in his commentary.
dontcallmeshirley
Guest
He didn't have a "run in" with Richie. Cooper put in some cheap shots that's all.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
The Australian owned NZ press I think you mean. How was Quade the smallest part. He was the protagonist. I doubt you have attended many games localy here in Australia. NRL, ARL and soccer all boo loud and often, as do our Aussie union crowds. You also give no credto the fact Quade is a kiwi like those over there with the issues. Why defend him so voraciously.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
A risk taker and innovative = palu, skelton, douglas, = risky alright, but not for the reason you are espousing.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
After watching england last night Oz has a real good chance of topping their pool. Its no longer the 'Pool of Death', its a 'pool of the real average' !
Jibba Jabba
Guest
Of course - bet then cheika pick his.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
The only hope,albeit a faint hope is that the constant practicing and playing over 2 months may (MAY??) get skelton up to speed - but i doubt it given he is a professional rugby player already and has been for a couple of years. Still 140kgs, (reportedly) still slow, still cant jump, still cant chase, still can't tackle, still can't push in scrums consistently, still cant.... An athlete skelton is not.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
Just watched the English France test = English were rubbish. If Oz don't think they can't beat them they shouldn't bother unpacking their bags.
dropkick
Guest
I dont think mccaw would even notice those soo called cheap shots hes like a flea .media make big deal of those
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
And you could and the Newlands test against the Boks
barryoh
Guest
Perhaps if Queensland weren't abysmal this year, and the year before that, and the...they might have more players. No point whining about the Waratahs if you're as bad as you are. Looking forward to more improvement with Richard Graham on board next year.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'm not ignoring them. He was average in them. I'm noting that from his 3rd consecutive test (players player in the away loss to SA) he was very consistent and influential. He was flashier in 2010 but not as influential on games and did not control the game. In 2012 Barnes started 4 consecutive tests at 10 FYI. My point is the comment Quade hasn't done anything the last few years is false (2013 he was great for a number of tests) and misleading because since the RWC 4 years ago he has started only 5 tests outside of his good 2013 period. He has only started 13 (and been a sub for a further 7) of the 48 tests since the last RWC. He was quite good and influential for half of them. Not being selected (75% of the time due to injury) for 28 tests limits the impact you are remembered to have.