French club Toulon is again making life tricky for Australia’s rugby sevens squad as they wait to learn whether Quade Cooper is available for their final two world series tournaments.
Injury-hit Australia are sweating on having Cooper bolster their playmaking stocks this month in one or both of the Paris and London tournaments in a critical late audition for Olympic selection at the Rio Games.
Although Andy Friend’s squad will be boosted by the return of fellow Wallabies back Nick Cummins, teenage speedster Henry Hutchison and strike weapon Pama Fou, the 58-Test five-eighth is a key piece in the selection puzzle.
Cooper has already played two tournaments – in Las Vegas and Vancouver in March – on top of being released by Toulon to travel home for the Sydney Sevens, where he was a frustrated spectator in February.
According to the three-tournament agreement he and the Australian Rugby Union struck with the French club then, Cooper should be released for at least one more leg of the world series, which has Australia sitting fourth after eight rounds.
Friend admitted discussions were ongoing with Toulon and he was waiting on a resolution before this week naming his 12-man squad for the May 14-15 Paris tournament.
“We’re just waiting on responses back and it’s all in a holding situation at the moment,” the coach told AAP.
With in-form playmaker Lewis Holland and Tom Lucas both ruled out for the rest of the series due to injury, Australia would be without a specialist five-eighth if Cooper can’t play.
Friend has trialled utility Allan Fa’alava’au, Josh Holmes, John Porch and game-breaking centre Cameron Clark in the position but sees them more as back-ups.
“We definitely have a few blokes who can fill that role but Lewy’s absence exposes us further,” he said.
Friend said Cooper needed more time in the sevens pressure-cooker to deserve Olympic selection.
“He needs time in the program (to adapt from 15s),” he said.
“The more I see it the more I appreciate how specialised this game is and how unique these athletes are and it definitely does take time.”
“They’re all things that as we head into Rio that we have to make decisions on.”
A full team of currently injured players, including Holland and Wallabies flyer Henry Speight, will also get a late Olympics audition in a three-day series against a national development squad next month.
Not Bothered
Guest
And when hes played during that time hes been inconsistent, dropped, benched and also played well in patches. Thats a truth that many refuse to accept.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Injuries...
CUW
Guest
this sounds a little desperate :) i mean a guy who came to 7s just like a couple of months ago is now the savior of the team???
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The only consistent with Quade since 2011 has been that he's consistently missed rugby due to injury. I can't speak for how he's played, or how often, since going to Toulon, but prior to that I think he played somewhere around 50% of the total Super Rugby and test matches from the end of the 2011 RWC to the end of the 2015 RWC. I think there's a total of around 10 or less test matches in that time that he was available for, but not selected (Of close to 60). So even if he was picked every time he was available, it's still a bucketload of missed footy.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I wouldn't say any of his defensive game is a strength (in the context of other players). Though he is just as capable as players like Stannard in that element, but much more upside ball in hand.
RubberLegs
Guest
Quade's presence is essential if the Thunderbolts are to stay at 4th place or improve. He has the passing, kicking and cover defending game to lift the side into Olympic medal contention. The other players have to develop the vision that Folau, Turner, O'Connor and Digby have to take advantage of the opportunities Quade creates.
Hello
Roar Rookie
He really has been that way for a while. If he consistently played at 70% he would be one of the worlds best but the only consistency he has seems to be inconsistent.
Not Bothered
Guest
Watching Quade play on the weekend I would think his days are numbered at Toulon. He was really throwing up some rocks and diamonds and is only being used as a fullback replacement, a job hes not all that good at. He could turn it around in the next few games and play brilliant rugby, knowing Quade, that is a pretty safe bet but knowing Quade, you know that horrible form is going to return soner or later. He seems to be better at 7s imo and I hope to see him in Rio.