The ARU and Toulon have come to a common sense agreement that Wallaby Quade Cooper can play three international sevens tournaments and qualify for the Rio Olympics.
Even though Cooper will be a marquee sevens rep with all that extra space to accommodate his speed and slick passing, there’s no way his inclusion alone can win Olympic gold.
In fact, the Australians will have big problems beating Fiji, New Zealand, South Africa and England.
They need Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale to bridge the gap to make Rio gold possible.
Their inclusion will not impact on any Wallabies fixtures in 2016, so they will be available to retain the Rugby Championship, regain the Bledisloe, and beat England in the three-Test series in the June window.
But the inclusion of the talented twosome will clash with four Waratahs fixtures.
March 4, Brumbies at GIO clashes with the Las Vegas Sevens. April 16, Brumbies at Allianz clashes with the Singapore Sevens. May 14, Bulls at Allianz clashes with the Paris Sevens. And May 20, Crusaders at Christchurch clashes with the Twickenham Sevens.
So there’s some soul-searching to be done by both the ARU and Waratahs to slot in Folau and Beale. Can the Waratahs regain their Super title without Folau and Beale for four games?
Big question, it is a tough call.
But it’s also worth repeating – no Folau and no Beale in the sevens squad means no Rio gold.
Apart from the flying Pama Fou, who has chalked up 75 international sevens tries, Henry Speight, and skipper Ed Jenkins, who is a bit of a cowboy like cricket’s Glenn Maxwell, the current Australian men’s squad is pedestrian.
They constantly throw lob-balloon passes, and there’s rarely snap or vision in their play.
Cooper, Folau and Beale would provide plenty of snap and vision, that’s the way they play their 15-man rugby.
The Australian women proved far more professional and slick in winning the Dubai Sevens by comprehensively beating Russia 31-12 in the decider, with Ellia Green named player of the final, and selected in the tournament’s rep side.
They were really impressive, and have been installed as early Rio gold medal favourites.
On the other side of the coin, interim head coach Scotty Bowen summed up the men best.
“Last week in Dubai we created enough chances to make a real impact, but couldn’t execute when it counted most,” he said.
They were beaten in the quarter-final by Fiji 19-12, and by South Africa in the Plate final 19-14 in extra time, and while both scorelines look close the Australians butchered so many chances it was cruel to watch.
One stat that will keep the sevens format knockers quiet are the rugby fans who are voting with their feet.
In Dubai, there were 100,000 spectators over the two days, and for Cape Town this week 110,000 tickets have already been sold.
Like it or not, the sevens are here to stay, and it’s high time the ARU recognised its importance on the rugby calendar.
Harry
Guest
Wallaby pack dominates all blacks thats a tui ad right there. Wallaby fans never known to lack hope we all black fans count the trophies and read the scorelines and smile
Harry
Guest
Cooper didnt play because cheika and everyone else knows hes not good enough , as for 2011 the reds will be riding that victory in 2025 when they are still batlling it out for wooden spokn again
Dracula
Guest
I will be difficult for any of the current Wallabies to make the transition to Sevens in time for the Rio Olympics. Jarryd Hayne maybe ?
taylorman
Guest
Perhaps by picking Cooper theyre hoping to 'stea'l the trophy then? Uisng Bazzas logic that is.
Riccardo
Guest
C'mon moderators. How does this fly?
Riccardo
Guest
Pity...
taylorman
Guest
Little secret for you ZG- the ROAR is actually available outside Australia!- yes...it really is...so you could have read about smug kiwis abroad, not having to wait to get home to scratch that itch. Take it all is well now though? Good man. :-) Merry Christmas to you too.
ThugbyFan
Guest
I agree TWAS, but to be honest how many forwards in world rugby have successfully stood up to the AB 8? What I was getting at in my post was once K.Douglas left injured in the RWC final, the reserve locks (and Simmons) were pussycats. As much as Pocock, Hooper and Fardy tried, the pack was clearly dominated as tiredness set in. IMO as much as the Pooper experiment worked against the lesser teams and allowed the WB to run a fast paced game, which lets face it got them to the final, it left a lack of height and size which weakened the lineouts and rucks. An equally fast but more skillful and very well coached team such as the AB really exposed those weaknesses. I dunno what we can do about it as without the cattle, you're pushing uphill. NSW Tahs really missed Mr Muscle in this years Super XV, will be interesting to see how his presence affects the Qld Reds. :)
RubberLegs
Guest
Cooper didn't play.
RubberLegs
Guest
South Africa beat Australia 25 to 5 in Cape Town; can't score; can't tackle. Was our 7s team any good when our first choice test #10 Foley played 7's?
Muzzo
Guest
You seriously need to get your Doctor to prescribe you stronger meds, Bazza
vic rugby
Guest
I can't see qc getting picked over foley by anyone important marto ...... especially not the coach
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah well, you weren't around.
Bazza
Guest
No duckheeds policy in the AB`S doesn`t extend NO WIFE BASHERS it seems..
gatesy
Roar Guru
Cooper in space and in motion with Beale and Folau on either side and Speight in the wide channel is pretty mouth-watering. Folau pinching the kick-offs! Maybe Giteau playing at half-back and three big, fast forwards - say Hooper, Fardy and Higgers....take your pick! Bad luck to the guys who got us there, but from watching the last two tournaments, we seem to be slipping backwards and it is interesting to see the development being made by USA, France, SA - Fiji lost to France yesterday with a hitherto 40-3 record against them - so you can't tell me the wealthy countries aren't pouring the money in - we really need to be on top of our game come Sydney 7's in February, to be any chance of a medal, and then some.
Bazza
Guest
Foley did not contribute to one try scored in sidineee..He was irrelavant and invisible all game..White dummied scored, Kepu stepped scored, toomua chip kicked to AAC scored.......No Foley involvement....
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Or. Just or now, Australia's Mr Muscle wasn't exactly Mr Muscle after all. He was anonymous in Auckland. Perhaps he, just like many other Australian forwards, only performs well against teams like England and Wales.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
If the joined the ABs Titch would get them fit.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
I am struggling to find in this article the plan to win the Bledisloe and the Rugby Championship. Can you tell me which paragraphs it is in.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Thanx Akira. Interesting that Dan Carter is reported as scoring 5 tries in his debut. Now that is a pretty awesome start to life in the NH. As for Ma'a Nonu, as an Australian I'm glad he is gone LoL. But wow, he developed into a great player. I wonder if this kid Marmin Barba that you mention is a brother or relative of Ben Barba, who plays RL for Cronulla and is one hell of a running back. His major problem is size. NZ has a lot of injuries in the 7's team. They lost to Canada in Cape Town last night, who would have thought that?