Quade Cooper was left stunned by his late call-up for Sunday’s (Monday AEDT) World Cup quarter-final, which adds intrigue to his long-term future in Australian rugby.
The enigmatic playmaker, who received a last-minute reprieve prior to Friday’s team naming when star fullback Israel Folau succumbed to the ankle injury he picked up against England a fortnight ago, is yet to commit to a deal beyond this year’s World Cup.
With Folau sidelined, Kurtley Beale has been promoted to the No.15 jersey and Cooper assumes his impact role on the bench.
It had been rumoured the 27-year-old had signed a rich deal with French giants Toulon, only to renege and reportedly pay out the exit fee for that contract so that he can stay with Australian rugby with a view towards becoming an Olympian by playing rugby sevens.
Sunday’s fixture will mark his 59th Test for Australia, leaving him one shy of the 60-Test cut-off for overseas-based players to become eligible under recently revised ARU rules.
Post-World Cup, Cooper’s focus is believed to surround throwing himself into the 10 World Series Sevens tournaments to be played between December and May, so he can represent Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in August.
In the meantime, Cooper has spoken at length about playing every Test as if it is his last – which until Friday morning, it looked like may have been his blitzkrieg on Uruguay, in which he set up three tries in the 65-3 rout of their Pool A rivals.
He’d missed out on bench spots in the subsequent victories over England and Wales as the Wallabies topped the “Group of Death”, but never gave up hope of again pulling on the gold jersey this campaign.
“We spoke about it as a squad, preparing like you are going to play,” said Cooper, who admits this is the latest call-up he’d ever received.
“Even watching from the sidelines, I have been going through the game calling, even when I have been sitting in the stands, as if I was out there.
“Just to make sure I was ready if anything happened.
“In some ways you are still putting yourself in the position of playing, just to keep yourself ticking over.
“But at the same time you don’t want to put any negative energy out there and thinking someone will go down (injured).”
Cooper has been picked as cover for five-eighth and fullback and hopes to have a similar impact to that of Beale – who has starred throughout the tournament and truly embraced the role as the team’s X-factor off the bench.
Beale’s versatility, having covered the wings already this tournament, should give further flexibility once Cooper takes the field – rather than simply covering for an injury to starting No.10 Bernard Foley, who has been one of the players of the tournament and is now one of the code’s more reliable kickers.
“If I get the opportunity I will step in there and bring what I have to the game,” Cooper said.
“I will just fit in where needed.”
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I agree handles.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Cheika just picked him to make the Internet angry.
kezablonde
Guest
Good luck Quade you STILL have a chance to prove yourself one of the best five eighths to play the game - stay cool
Handles
Roar Guru
I am a Quade fan, but with the exception of his first cap against Italy, I have never seen him make a positive impact off the bench. He is a guy, in my opinion, who needs to be in the controlling seat. Prove me wrong Quade - be a finisher! How did Ford and Gray get off by the way? Scotland appealed the length of the sentence (only), and the appeal committee decided to find them innocent! Bloody Robbie Deans.
Scot Free
Guest
Really glad he was selected. Cooper and Foley each bring a very different style of play to the Wallabies and I'm sure Cheika rightly sees this as an advantage. Not sure why most Roarers like to divide themselves into two camps so passionately. In any case, I hope we get to see some more Quade magic before this campaign is through.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
It would be hard not selecting him for the RWC squad, at the time of selection there wasn't a 10 in this country that had the first choice spot locked up. Even if Foley had been in his "England" form for all of 2015 you'd still want to take a back-up 10 and Cooper would have to be amongst the front-runners there. I'm intrigued by his section on the bench for this test though.
Existentialist
Guest
I for one am looking forward to Cooper having a run. His passing was sublime against Uruguay and if gets the chance to inject himself into the game (hopefully when we are comfortably ahead) the so be it. This is a team sport. I support the team. Live by the sword ... Have a blinder Cooper. Go the Wallabies
Butterbean
Guest
Stats actually back this up Riddler. Yes Foley tripped up George North and made a couple of other good tackles v Wales, but this is generally against the recent past. I am glad he has improved, but statistically Cooper is a better defender. It is just that Foley's misses aren't screamed from the mountain tops. He also defends on the wing a la Cooper, but when Cooper defends there he is being 'hidden'. Go figure. The worst Wallaby back for tackling is K.Beale. All have improved markedly in this WC and I think we can thank Nathan Grey.
Mapu
Guest
Not a good omen for Wobblies
the french
Roar Rookie
Toulon is still expecting Cooper to play with them after the RWC. The matter is with the lawyers but at this stage i understand there has been no agreement to release him. I am not a fan of QC although i recognize his qualities i dont think he has a spot in the team and should not have been aelected for the RWC.
Happyman
Guest
Oupa you are living in yesteryear Cooper can now tackle his yellow at Edwn park was justified but it was last line of defence.
riddler
Guest
jay u r having a laugh.. have you watched the last two tests? foley´s tackling has been outstanding..
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
Foley did alright in 7's and he's a worse tackler than Cooper....
oupa
Roar Rookie
Australia is making sure that Cooper will get his 60 tests up before leaving for France. He will be a total disaster playing sevens.His inability to tackle below the neck will be exposed and he will have no place to hide. He does not seem to realize that in sevens you cannot afford to lurk in the background and let others do all the tackling.