Quade Cooper signs three-year deal with the Queensland Reds

When are we going to hear who the new coach for the Force is? The delay is making me think the ARU are intentionally delaying as they want to cut the Force from the S18 and are waiting on the final report for 2018 on.

Crap and zero are harsh Jerry - what about that beautiful arcing run to score against Ireland in 89 - you know the try that wasn't a try. But seriously his strengths outweighed any limitations he had in defense and individual attacking flair. When I compare him to the others in his position during the time he was an All Black (and immediately after) - Botica, Preston, Ellis, Little, Mannix, Bachop then my pick is Fox without question.

Hi TM, Thanks for your comment. My point was to say that QC is very exciting to watch. I merely used Campo as a reference point. Both players have their faults but perhaps their faults are exaggerated by their creativity, flair and confidence. I believe that QC is generally positive for the WBs. He has the capacity to win games. It is unfair to blame any single player. TBH the WBs appeared somewhat shellshocked by the speed and quality of the "new" ABs. As discussed by others previously the ABs are adopting a faster game more reliant on clever passes.

"It was a sickening hit that made my stomach churn. It made me hate the Allbacks as a team for the better part of 15 years, I have only just gotten over it." Did you hate the Wallabies for 15 years after Michael Brial threw 10 or so unanswered punches at Frank Bunce in 96? Did you hate them after Nathan Grey broke Richard Hill's face in 2001? Glass houses, bro.

But Folau pressure is either high ball or defence. High ball he has athletic superiority. Defence he often is not in the place to make a tackle. So somewhat similar to your valid comments about Cooper not doing too much in attack last game.

Actually saying your opinion is rhetoric is saying your opinion lacked anything of substance. Saying he was a poor 2nd string behind Mehrts just lacks credibility for mine. There were times early in his AB career where he had the inside running before he got injured. Then hi confidence started fluctuating with his goal kicking. But like I say. There are plenty that have a huge amount of respect for King Carlos and his natural ability. And comparing him to Cruden doesn't lend and games played doesn't add any substance to any of your rhetorical comments or the suggestion you are making about Carlos's natural ability. Have you played the game to any significant level or know anyone who has, because if you did I think you would have a far greater appreciation of his skills than calling him a poor second string to Merhts.

Ha ha...Taranaki, also the only province in NZ not to win a Super title with the border switch to the Chiefs. Maybe those guys were out to make a point!

Fair enough Train, it's a fine line. I just think when he's under pressure he could handle it better. Folau for example hardly ever plays a bad game in fact I can't even recall one when he has. And fullback is also a position that is subject to a lot of pressure. We'll see how he goes in the non AB tests. I hope he fires as it will certainly allow the Wallabies back in the hunt again. He gets a pass for the ABs match, pretty good considering it was here and his first for ages. Looking forward to it. Wonder who his 12 will be going forward as that will be crucial. Yay...mr. Edits back from holiday!

Probably the last time he played 5 tests in a row in 2013! A huge issue is how often he puts 5+ games at any level together. He has proven to play below his best when he's rushed back in. He is the type of player that needs to be consistently playing to play his best.

Taylorman I cant think of too many occasions where Cooper has folded when his forwards had parity at the breakdown and set piece. He may not have the temperment of Dan Carter but Carter played behind a forward pack the simply refused to wilt even though they may have been entitled to on occasion. Attitude separates the All Blacks and the rest.....it's not genetics, it's not the weather or Hoky Pokey ice cream it's old fashion heart. The reason I hate the All Blacks is the same reason I love them.....they don't just "play" rugby they "live" rugby and they prove it every time they take the field. I was on surf trip to Taranaki earlier in the year and walked into Rebel sports in NP. There were a few thirty something guys in there all buying boots for the new season. They were all a bit fat, looked like Piri Weepu clones and were buzzing with a child's excitement over the boots. I could imagine the same scene playing out in every sports store in every town across the shaky isles.

Yeah good memory mate!

Regardless of i think that I never said that. He's proven to be the best potential 10 in Australia though. And it's only other Australian 10s who he's selected over. You said about Nonu being selected despite looking worse in Super Rugby. That's because nobody who performed better in Super Rugby looked like they would do better than what they knew he would deliver. No Aus 10s in Super Rugby look like they can even deliver what average form Cooper can at the lower level. They will likely only look worse when playing test opponents.

Like every other 10, Cooper doesn't handle the situation well when his team is under pressure. Kind of like Carter in the Sydney test last year... It's no surprise that with the Wallabies the most frequent opponent of the All Blacks, that their most capped 10 in the period of their greatest struggles is the most frequent one playing his worst games under pressure. No I don't know if putting Cooper in the All Black yields the same results, but I do believe that put Carter in the Wallabies teams Cooper played in, and he would have a number of performances similar to his game in Sydney last season. When everybody talks about "Cooper handling pressure", they imply that he struggles when opponents try to target him. That's not the case, he struggles when the forwards are under pressure. No more than Foley or any other 10. Because they're all human.

This one, didn't actually score it but the run was stunning with the change of direction at the right times https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nQvgcOL_42g

True, was really a reference to the 'class' comment. Campos tries in the northern tour were outrageous. I think the BaaBaas one where he turned the defender inside out a couple of times was so good it was hilarious.

Yep, beauty of Fox is he knew exactly what he could and couldn't do, but he also came through the best of coaches...Henry at Grammar, Harty at his best from 83 etc. fell off a bit under Gruff...hmmm.

Two completely different positions. At least there was merit in the Cooper, Spencer comparison. Campo sure was something else with the ball in hand. It always amazed me how strong he was in contact, very rarely conceding turnovers but he was a poor defender.

Crap tackler and zero running game.

What, beating the Wallabies? Nah, it's really not

Yeah TM... I remember! Bloody well near had to drag you kicking and screaming to be convinced Dan Carter was the best ... I know it was an expression of an opinion but I really believed it, perhaps swayed by following his illustrious career ...*S*