Australian sevens coach Andy Friend says the onus is on Quade Cooper to force his hand after presenting the Wallabies ace with his first chance to push for Olympic selection.
After a false start in Sydney last month, Cooper will make his eagerly-awaited debut for Australia’s Thunderbolts in this weekend’s round five of the World Series in Las Vegas.
Playmakers Lewis Holland and James Stannard have been rested after starring in Australia’s charge to the final in Sydney, where Cooper was overlooked for the 12-man squad despite flying halfway across the globe from France.
But Friend says there’ll be no holding Cooper back in Vegas, with the coach gambling on the mercurial gamebreaker to hit the jackpot in his first rehearsal for a Rio Games spot.
“I’m looking forward to seeing his ability to break open defences,” Friend told AAP.
“As an individual, he’s a hard man to contain and his pass gives us more width in attack.”
France-based Cooper linked with the squad on Monday and had his first with the team on Tuesday.
“He’ll definitely be better for that,” Friend said.
“He looked sharp, as he does. As a footballer, he’s world class.
“I know he’s going to make errors. We definitely know that.
“But he’s looking fit and physically and mentally ready to go.”
The challenge now is for Cooper to deliver, with Friend offering no guarantees as the 26-year-old presses for a place on Australia’s Olympic team.
“Quade’s got to prove himself to the squad,” the coach said.
“He’s fitted in really well off the field, he’s bought into the culture and now it’s about producing an on-field performance.”
The Thunderbolts enter the three-day event starting on Friday in fourth place behind equal series leaders Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa and Friend says it’s vital his side back up their runner-up showing in Sydney.
“The boys have now got that belief and confidence that they can match it with anyone,” he said.
As well as Cooper, NSW Waratahs forward Pat McCutcheon, along with Boyd Killingworth and Tom Lucas have also been included this weekend, with Henry Speight and Tom Cusack, plus Holland and Stannard omitted.
Australia: Henry Hutchison, Tom Kingston, Sam Myers, Boyd Killingworth, Tom Lucas, Con Foley, Cameron Clark, Greg Jeloudev, Ed Jenkins, Allan Fa’alava’au, Quade Cooper, Pat McCutcheon.
Zero Gain
Guest
No, not from that, from elsewhere.
Not Bothered
Guest
Wow. Thats what you got from that?
felix
Guest
Toulon teammates Bryan Habana and Quade Cooper,I just think even though Habana is older he mite have more of an impact for the Blitzboks,he can make up for the mistakes with some speed,however Quade being in the playmaker mite just give Bryan that intersept pass to settle the nerves ;-)
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Friend has been forced on us by the aru. Can two wrongs make a right? I effin hope so.
CUW
Guest
Aussy , England , Scotland and Japan . sort of an easy pool to get on with, when u consider Scots and Japs are way down the ladder. but then NZ will be without their 4 super rugby stars and Pulu also. saffers have a few guys returning and so do england.
DaniE
Roar Guru
I've looked into it and it doesn't seem like Andy Friend has 7s coaching experience? I think Scott Bowen was finishing up his tenur at the Sydney 7s. It'll be an interesting journey and learning curve for Andy if so.
DaniE
Roar Guru
Guru! Haha oh my goodness. I feel like a fraud :D
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Who knows. Andy Friend was knifed during his last Australian coaching job. I highly doubt he'll be throwing any players under the bus any time soon.
Mark
Guest
Has a coach ever publicly had a go at one of their own players in sevens??....
ClarkeG
Guest
it will be - it's a big ask.
pjm
Roar Rookie
QC has been forced upon Friend by the ARU.
Zero Gain
Guest
Terrible coaching to put extra pressure on one of your squad. Friend doesn't rate Quade who is probably wasting his time. Friend is setting up a reason to drop him. Quade will have to be outstanding to force his hand.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Should be fascinating TWAS if QC can create some extra space for these guys... especially little Henry. I only hope it goes well for QC... in fact really well!
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yeah DaniE... it does makes sense eh. Also congats on your new 'GURU' status... I hadn't noticed before :)
Not Bothered
Guest
should be interesting.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Interested to see Clarke and Hutchison running off Cooper.
wazza
Guest
What a goose!!
DaniE
Roar Guru
This is going to be quite the challenge for Quade. I was in a little workshop last year with a former NZ7s squad player who said that in 7s, the training sessions have to be harder than the games. Quade's prep will really determine his outcome and I just don't know that there's been enough of it.