The old firm is back.
On a blustery Friday night in Canberra, Quade Cooper and Will Genia turned the clock back to 2011, delivering the kind of commanding performance that not only helped the Rebels to a satisfying 34-27 win, but offers up potential implications for later in the year.
18-months out of top-flight rugby is a long time for a 31 year-old with a dicky knee, but the calm, professional resolve Cooper has shown throughout the pre-season effortlessly translated into his return to Super Rugby.
A comeback that has, in one fell swoop, confirmed the Rebels as genuine finals contenders, and restored Cooper’s position as a major talking point for Australian rugby fans.
In many respects, this was not the Cooper of old. Absent were the miracle plays and impromptu moves involving unsuspecting team-mates. Instead, there was control and poise, intelligent game management, crisp distribution and a willingness to play hard at the advantage line – all under the umbrella of a discernible team pattern.
There were surprises of course: two try-saving tackles on Tevita Kuridrani, at each end of the game, stopping the big man dead in his tracks. The technique may not have been text-book, but if it is true that defence is 95 per cent attitude then Cooper is clearly in a good place right now.
And, love him or hate him, this is surely a very good thing for Australian rugby.
Quade Cooper of the Rebels converts a try during the Round 1 Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Rebels at GIO Stadium on February 15, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
Not by coincidence, the players to either side of Cooper were among the Rebels’ best; Genia combining sweetly while twice picking up close-in forward runners for tries, while inside centre Bill Meakes looked as assured and accurate as he ever has, at this level.
Up front, another Wallaby prospect impressed, No.8 Isi Naisarani’s insatiable thirst for work continually posing problems for his old side. As with Cooper, it is a sign of the Rebels ongoing development that the ‘wrecking ball’ carries of Amanaki Mafi have been replaced by a player no less effective as a ball carrier, but operating more in concert with his teammates and the team pattern.
The Brumbies were severely hampered by the early loss of David Pocock, and their own tactical uncertainty, struggling to find the right balance between an attacking, ball-in-hand mindset, and using the first-half wind to maintain field position.
Injuries and three lineouts aside, there was plenty for Brumbies fans to carry forward, not the least the full-on competitiveness of Lachie McCaffrey and Pete Samu, a rock-solid scrum, and their trademark lineout maul, which clearly lost none of its bite over summer.
The Super Rugby season got underway in Hamilton two hours earlier, with the impressively tenacious Highlanders somehow finding a way to eke out a 30-27 win against the Chiefs; a result that had seemed beyond them entering the final quarter.
After a 2018 season studded with uncertainly around TMO involvement, it only took a few minutes for concerns to resurface. New protocols have been adopted, including the introduction of ‘pods’ of officials staying together from match to match – aimed at building familiarity and providing for more seamless communication between them.
Another new protocol decrees that the TMO should overturn a referee’s decision only when the TMO has conclusive evidence to the contrary. Nice in theory, but perhaps TMO Aaron Paterson never got that memo, nor the one about fans imploring officials not to intervene to send players off for marginal, overly technical matters.
This column is as strident an advocate as any for the protection of players in the air, and from attacks to the head – indeed, the long term future of the game, with respect to junior participation and potentially crippling legal claims, depends on it.
But if Paterson saw Sio Parkinson fail to lower his body upon entering the tackle, and neglect to sufficiently engage his left arm in a wrapping motion, he must surely have also seen ball-carrier Brodie Retallick duck into the contact?
Parkinson got his tackle wrong, but not ‘red card wrong’. Yes, the law is the law, and if Parkinson’s sanction serves as a warning for all other players in the competition to tackle lower, then this is positive affirmation of World Rugby’s guidelines.
But TMO Paterson might also do well to consider how absolute laws only become good laws through common-sense interpretation and application.
At least the final result spared us from the ‘red cards ruin matches’ chorus, with focus directed instead to the Chiefs’ inability to close out a winning position. World Cup-winning hero Stephen Donald (sporting a Billy Bob Thornton/Karl Childers haircut), surrendered the initiative with a couple of poor errors, and the injection of Aaron Smith, and the Highlanders’ will to win, did the rest.
In a match studded with typically low, early-season moments, Waratah Alex Newsome sunk lowest when, in the run of play, he grabbed a stray Hurricanes boot and tossed it over the Brookvale sideline. Nick Phipps may not have been on the field, but his influence obviously looms large.
It was not all bad from the home team, Israel Folau’s high-speed pick-up, positioning and release for Curtis Rona’s try, a standout moment. But the Waratahs will rue this as an opportunity lost, Bernard Foley missing an eminently kickable penalty in the 78th minute, to leave the Hurricanes in front, 20-19.
How far can the Tahs go? (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
The Blues’ Harry Plummer had a similar opportunity in Auckland, albeit from greater distance, his miss letting the Crusaders off the hook with a 24-22 win.
Winning matches without dominating is nothing unusual for the Crusaders, just as losing winnable matches is for the Blues. In the end it was two moments of pack dominance/submission that tilted things the Crusaders’ way, but long-suffering Blues fans have good reason to be encouraged, their team demonstrating, for long patches, that they are considerably improved.
Much seemed to be made of referee Nick Briant’s decision to green-light Crusaders’ winger Manasa Mataele’s action to knock down a Blues pass, to kill off a promising attacking raid, late in the match – the type of instance that is usually automatic yellow card territory.
It may be the minority view, but Briant’s assertion that Mataele commited no offence, was spot on. The law provides for sanction for a deliberate knock-on, yet Mataele attempted – and succeeded – to bat the ball backwards. Crude and ugly? Yes, but that’s still ‘play on’, every day of the week.
In steamy Singapore, the Sharks had too many Du Preez for the Sunwolves, coasting in by 45-10. Rene Ranger’s Asian sojourn looks to be over just as soon as it started, carried off with a serious knee injury. Coach Tony Brown has more pressing issues however – like finding a pack robust and strong enough to mix it at scrum and maul with the competition’s heavyweights.
The Bulls easily wiped the Stormers 40-3, which won’t do anything to quell stories of coaching discontent in Cape Town, while a fresh-looking Lions secured their first-ever win in Buenos Aries, 25-16 over a Jaguares side that lacked front-row presence and backline cohesion.
One of those things might be put down to typical first-match blues; the other one might potentially present a more serious problem.
Everyone involved in Super Rugby knows the extent to which travel is a factor. Perhaps nobody is tired in round one, nevertheless, for there to be only one home winner over the weekend (the Bulls), was quite remarkable.
Tipsters already struggling to rank the contenders and find a few winners just had another bucket of confusion tipped into the mix.
Fox
Roar Guru
I reserve judgement until he meets kiwi sides who know how to rattle him and they will go after him like a wolf pack - one promising game - and sure he had a pretty damn good game - but consistency has always been his Achilles Heel and he is yet to be rattled by his nemesis - Kiwi sides in general in recent years -I hope he goes well as i have no desire to see him fail - but I have also seen a number of articles like this only to see Cooper fall on his sword - I sometimes wonder if Genia makes him sometimes look better than what he is - not always but sometimes IMO it is Genia's nous that is the difference
David
Guest
Did they finish worse in 2018 compared to 2017? Normally if you win 6 games compared to 4 it would be considered a better season (still terrible, but better none the less)
David
Guest
My criticism is of Quade, which you didn't actually reply to. He had the chance to win the game for his "talentless uncontracted" teams mates but didn't, couldn't, wouldn't. Instead he kicked the ball away. All game against Easts...kick, kick, kick. Quade is a Wallaby...at that level he should dominate. Put a McKenzie / Mo'Unga / Barrett at that level and watch them absolutely decimate. Hell, give me Ben Lucas in 2007 when he dominated Gold Coast in the final, now that is how a super level 10 should play. I also complemented Quade for how he took the contact against the Brumbies on the weekend and hope that despite a couple of years of poor rugby he can return to playing well in Melbourne.
Stu
Roar Rookie
I'm amazed no-one ever mentions this. With careful attention to detail, you will notice that Will Genia has one of the slowest pass deliveries of any of the top 10 international scrum halves going around. First receiver almost always receives a looped slow pass from Genia and is always under immediate pressure from rush defences, and we commit errors there constantly as a result. As a comparison, not condoning Nick Phipps, but with much faster twitch speed muscular ability, he's our only scrum half with a bullet pass, which is so much faster than Genia's, but of course he made some errant passes years ago and he is constantly derided by all and sundry to this day for it, even though he hasn't thrown a bad pass for a long time. In any case, Genia throws bad passes too. Without a scrum half at international level who can pass hard, flat and very fast, we will continue to be under awful pressure one out from the ruck.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Nice article Geoff, and I hope Nicolas isn't eating shoe leather as he waits for the Wales vs England bash-up on Saturday. I feel M.Cheika is in a real quandary if W.Genia and Q.Cooper continue in this vein. If they keep this form for SR2019 then Cheika has two problems (a) how to drop his fav B.Foley and (b) who to put in at IC. Surely the so-called additional two selectors are not daft enough to have Cooper at flyhalf and either B.Foley or K.Beale at Inside Centre ? That is the sort of selection that Cheika has gotten away with when he wanted to white-ant any flyhalf whose name does not have BF initials. The "Mouse" has done this time after time so hopefully S.Johnson and M.O'Connor will stamp on that rubbish immediately. I wouldn't write off B.Foley yet for WB honours this year. I think a lot of his problems last year were a result of he was flogged to death, Foley looked (and played) like an extra from "The Walking Dead" from September onwards. It's likely too late for RWC2019 but I would like to see R.Hodge as the long-term IC for the WB. The OC can be a pick between S.Kerevi, K.Kuridrani and J.Petaia whoever is in top form at the time.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I think it's a matter of 'wait and see' T-Man See if Cooper stays fit and can continue to perform at that level week on week, and against NZ sides. If he does, I think Cheika will pick him. Cheika and Wessels have a good relationship, so Cheika will at least know the full story about what Cooper is bringing on and off the field.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Dont get me wrong Scottles, I hope Cooper is selected this year as I think hes ozs only hope of a very good world cup, but hes got to convince that he wont be a liability with his high tackles for which he has several yellows. And dont know why you bring up Mo’unga, I prefer Barrett at 10 so Im not sure who you are trying to convince there. But even barrett started off as a bit of a turnstyle with front on tackles early in his career, and hes certainly fixed that, so Mo’unga has time. Coopers at the wrong end of 30 and is still doing it and it could cost him. May not, it just could, and you can bet players will be testing him.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
"Souths had unlimited talent ....." Well for all that unlimted talent they didn't come close to making the finals in 2017. But they did in 2018 - I wonder what was different ? Much like the Reds finished in a worse position in 2018 than in 2017. Ya reckon there's a trend there or what ?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well wasnt far off. Barrit was verygood a few years ago, 2012 match versus the ABs but havent seen him for England much so went with the All Black, obviously. Dunno about barrett and itoje. At their best itoje all day.
taylorman
Roar Guru
You pick one match of a newbie and compare it to Quades awful career long record of yellow cards for dangerous tackles? Do you not know the difference between a missed tackle and a dangerous one? You sure youre on the right sports page?
Scottles
Guest
I literally just gave you the stats. Ritchie Mo’unga, missed 5 tackles. And i`m quoting you mate . " In todays test rugby you just CANNOT have poor tacklers " Stop the deflecting, it`s getting tiresome.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Ha, ha, well spotted Geoff.
taylorman
Roar Guru
So what in 2019 do you think is Cheikas main reason for not picking Cooper Geoff? From memory I believe he said he'd watch him if he was playing Super rugby. So based on the weekend, he was the best 10 for oz for me. So now he's playing, if hes not picked on form is it his demeanor- no coach is picking him, or his tackling, or...what? Right at this moment, I'd say he is THE best chance Oz have of a successful World cup. No other single player can lift the team higher than it currently is than Quade and his greater x factor qualities.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah it might come down to the last rounds but the spread between the canes, Saders and Blues due to two missed kicks going in favour of one and not the other- Blues guy misses a relatively tough long one and Foley misses a sitter to dong the Canes. Blues could be sitting atop them both but already sink to the bottom. Moments like that are in the end just as big whether its first or last match. Blues cant afford to keep losing those matches. On coin toss finishes they always get the wrong call. 20 straight now, and many of them ended up like that.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Thanks Geoff... Long suffering Blues fan. :-)
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Good point about the three ex Reds players working hard to succeed elsewhere. There are many who see this as them v Thorn and one party will be proven right and one wrong, but the bigger picture view is that its a win for Oz rugby to have these guys back and playing well, contending for the Wallabies, rather than be in exile in Qld, AND it's good for Thorn to be allowed to get on and rebuild his team the way he best sees fit.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I think it was nothing more than he knew he was coming into contact, into a double tackle, so best to get a low body position to push a bit through the tackle and set up the recycle for his team on the front foot. Just one of those things.
oldoneeye
Roar Rookie
Thanks Geoff. I think someone made the point that perhapse the best things that Thorn has done for Cooper, Hust and Slipper was to move them on. They are all very good players, have responded to the challenge positively and clearly demonstrated their determination to acheive in the best fashion. We need more players like this - really hungry or even deparate to prove their worth. Coaches obviously need to craft the play and players that they want for their team. In this regard, there has been much said about Cheka's abilities to get sucess from the WBs and the playing style he pursues. Wessells appears to have been pretty clever in understanding what is required to get the best from Cooper's talents. Frankly it shouldn't be that hard to understand what is required to do that but congratulations to him for being able to do it. By contrast, it is hard to observe the same with the WB's. There has much written about who is to blame for the WB's lack of ability to score tries, the lack of structure in attach and who is to blame. The blame can only lie with the Cheka up to this point. It will be very interesting whether Cheka can demonstrate the smarts that Wessells has. By that I mean, demonstrating an ability to capitalise on the ability of the players and to build a game plan around the players selected not force the players into an attacking style that they can't execute. What Wessells, Cooper and team illustrated well is that if the players around the playmake do their job the results follow. It is hard to see this happening in the WBs over the last 2 years.
CUW
Roar Rookie
he had a measured game - perhaps since it was hiis 1st for long time. not many of the Carlos Spencer type play. got to wait and see as the games go on if he starts to play crazy. also - the Brumbies first up were not that great.
CUW
Roar Rookie
Philip - he has that bench outlook to play :)