In the aftermath of the Wallabies World Cup squad announcement, many have questioned Quade Cooper’s selection given his performances of late.
However, Michael Cheika, the perennial tactician, has stated Cooper’s selection is to provide the team with a scapegoat for a tournament failure.
“Well we trialled this tactic in the Auckland Bledisloe,” Cheika told the press. “We put him on the field as an excuse if the All Blacks beat us.
“He played his role well – everyone blames him for the loss.”
The news of Quade’s ‘Scapegoat Position’ answers a lot of questions. After the match, Cooper faced criticism for claiming he played well, but with his new role explained, it has shed some light on his self-evaluation.
“He makes a great scapegoat,” Cheika said, “I mean he gets more boos than a Floyd Mayweather press conference!”
Yet there are concerns over the effect Cooper’s selection is having on the team’s culture.
“Yeah, he’s about as welcome as a salad at a BBQ to be honest,” a senior Wallaby has stated. “Some of the boys even think James O’Connor isn’t that bad by comparison.”
There has even been discontent voiced by officials. Referees Jaco Peyper and Nigel Owens have been quite vocal about Cooper’s inclusion. “To be honest, it wasn’t the indiscretion. Both Jaco and I gave Quade Cooper a yellow card because I didn’t think she should be on the field.”
The scapegoat position is not new to Australian sport. Cricket Australia hired Micky Arthur in a combined coach/scapegoat role for the national side, and is one of the most celebrated scapegoats.
“Just proud to do my thing for the team,” Cooper told a random gentleman in the toilet. “I mean winning’s good, but if you can’t it’s great to have someone to blame. Don’t forget to shake…”
Given that Pool A has been nicknamed “The Pool of Death”, the scapegoat could be useful should Australia not progress.
JohnB
Guest
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/hodgson-finalises-world-cup-excuses-formation-2013120481682?utm_campaign=04122013&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content Different code and different world cup but a classic of the genre
JB
Guest
sarcasm I hope?
union
Guest
Qc was good for a brief time years ago
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
He was pretty impressive in the Quarter against SA in 2011.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
Just give qc the Uruguay game to keep the qc fans happy, but that's it , if only he can replicate his performance at the last World Cup that was memorable
Jordan
Guest
You are smart enough not to read David Lord, nice.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Now that's a body slam.
Not Bothered
Guest
I still havnt seen anybody blaming Cooper for the loss. Ive seen a lot of Cooper fans claiming that people were blaming Cooper but I didnt see anyone blaming Cooper for the loss. Ive seen a lot of people saying Cooper was poor, not good enough. Thats fair and my opinion. Cooper fans just love to make the other side sound unreasonable to avoid acknowledging Cooper had a stinker. Ive also seen a lot of Cooper fans blaming White, the forwards, the ref and other things for QCs performance.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
I guess if Quade is the Scapegoat then Beale must be the bat with Ebola Virus?
Dave_S
Guest
Hehehe. “To be honest, it wasn’t the indiscretion. Both Jaco and I gave Quade Cooper a yellow card because I didn’t think she should be on the field.” Ouch! Does that make Kane Douglas the "whipping boy" (Ok, not as good as Gareth's effort ...)
Lee
Guest
...'Don't forget to shake" - awesome.
Colm
Roar Guru
Good read, all the teams in the group of death have a scapegoat, Sam Burgess for England, Alex Cuthbert for Wales.