It looks for all money like Dave Rennie is ready to turn back time, and wind the hands of the clock all the way back to 2016, in preparation for the last Bledisloe Cup game of 2021. That was the last time that ex-Reds stars Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi played together for the Wallabies.
Australia has been desperately short of experience and leadership in midfield, with none of the starting combinations in Bledisloe Cup 1 (Noah Lolesio, Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau) able to muster double figures before the start of the current Rugby Championship series.
Matt To’omua arrived with his 57 appearances to try and steady the ship in the second match, but struggled to make the impact that Rennie and his attack coach, Scott Wisemantel, would have wanted. The question-marks about the best mix at numbers 10, 12 and 13 have burgeoned rather than diminished.
If the cavalry comes galloping over hill for Australia, it will be coming from Queensland. Just as the tournament as a whole has been rescued by its relocation to Brisbane, Townsville and the Gold Coast, so Rennie and Wisemantel may look over the horizon to see cowboy Quade and super Samu riding to the rescue.
Dave Rennie has been effusive in his compliments for both players since they arrived back in the Wallabies squad. This what he had to say about Cooper:
“He’s been fantastic in the group and I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“Even when we had a few days off at the front of the week, he was driving a lot of the training and additional stuff a lot of the boys were doing out in the field or down at the gym.
“He’s been a big contributor to all meetings and discussions and happy to share his knowledge and he’s trained really well. His ability for pass selection or kicking options has been spot on and it’s been really good from a training perspective for us.
“He’s pretty much been running the New Zealand plays. He’s applying pressure on us for selection.”
These are the KPIs coaches look for in their veterans off the field. That appetite for extra curricular training, the desire to encourage others around them and transmit knowledge, the ability to execute tactical plans cleanly and precisely on the training paddock.
It looks like Quade Cooper may be about to add to his 60 caps in the third game versus New Zealand, at the ripe old age of 33. It is only right that he gets another chance.
He was dropped unceremoniously by Michael Cheika in his last international season, and then swiftly marked persona non grata when Brad Thorn took over at Ballymore. As Rennie says, he still has a lot to offer the game in Australia, and he probably had even more to give four years earlier.
Rennie was also full of praise for Kerevi:
“Like Quade, he’s an experienced man who’s contributing really well and there’s a fair bit for him to get his head around, of course.
“Obviously, he played over in Suntory. A good mate of mine, Jason O’Halloran, coaches over there and he gave me some really positive feedback around Samu’s preparation and the detail around him trying to be better each day and we’re seeing it in our squad.
“I know he’s done a lot of work at Suntory, as well as his kicking game, on his distribution and as we know he can be direct and has an ability to offload beyond the tackler.
“He’s been working really hard on the defensive side of his game and so it’s been a real credit to him.”
There is a strong impression that the Wallabies head coach is struggling to contain his evident glee at the return of the Fijian flyer. At the age of 27, Kerevi is probably approaching the peak of his considerable powers. At 108 kilos, he offers a block of size and physicality that Rennie has lacked ever since he took over the Australian national team.
Damian de Allende for South Africa, Jonathan Danty for France and Levani Botia for Fiji have all proven the value of that kind of player in midfield over the various summer series in 2021.
The chance of Cooper and Kerevi playing together is only increased by the fact that Quade enjoys playing with power alongside him, rather than an extra playmaker. It did not work with Bernard Foley shoe-horned into inside centre in 2016, and there is little reason to expect it would be much better with Matt To’omua five years later.
If there is an opportunity opening up, Quade will either look hit the line or play wide for a second touch; if not, he will dump the ball off to the forwards or Kerevi and start again.
Let’s wind the clock all the way back to 2016, and the last time that Cooper and Kerevi played together in the green and gold. They clearly enjoy each other’s company and have an innate understanding on the field.
The following sequences (taken from the two home games against Argentina and South Africa) start with a kick receipt and offload by Israel Folau.
The ability to move the ball away from kick receipts quickly was one of the few effective counters for the Pumas in their recent double-header against the Springboks.
All you need to is to have Samu tracking Quade, and waiting for manna to fall from heaven’s table.
Kerevi has the power to beat even a Springbok for power, one-on-one. That is an invaluable asset.
As this example illustrates, one of the main weapons in Quade Cooper’s armoury is the inside pass. I have not seen a playmaker, playing anywhere on the face of the planet, run the in-pass with as much finesse and accuracy as Cooper.
Quade plays flat on the line when delivering the inside ball, and waits until he knows the Argentina number 12 has committed fully to him before delivering the no-looker to Dane Haylett-Petty. The break is made so close to the gain-line that there is no chance for the defence to adjust to Haylett-Petty’s late change of angle.
The in-pass is one of the prime scenarios in which Quade will stand much closer to the ad-line, and well ahead of the forward pod which accompanies him.
Cooper has observed that the disconnects in the Pumas defence are closer to the ruck rather than out wide, so he advances to dish the in-pass to the ever-present Michael Hooper.
He varies his positioning according to the area he wants to target. If he’s looking to move the ball wide he’ll stand deep, behind the pod of three forwards.
As soon as he scents an opportunity, he’ll call for the ball out of pod and look to get a second touch as the ball is spun wide.
There is no pressing reason for a big second playmaker when your primary distributor is this active, and when he can vary his depth so well.
Australia’s first try of the game against the Pumas was created by Cooper’s willingness to hold depth in order to get the ball out to the edge.
If Cooper is standing any closer to the line, the ball will never reach the three attackers (Haylett-Petty, Hooper and Kerevi) on the right edge before a tackle is made.
Fittingly, Kerevi’s strength on his feet finishes off the score.
Let’s take a look at one whole attacking sequence which illustrates the same themes. With Cooper looking to pressure the defensive forwards near the ruck, he stands flat and ahead of his own ‘grunts’.
The Springboks forwards and midfielders are at full stretch to makes tackles and wrap across the back of the ruck for the following phase, and that helps open up the field when play comes back the other way.
With Cooper standing deeper the ball can go wide, although Quade and Izzy probably missed the best chance to penetrate an inviting gap between the last forward (Trevor Nyakane) and first back (Elton Jantjies).
Summary
There will be blood spilled on both sides of the ball, and plenty of it, if Dave Rennie decides to feature Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi in his matchday squad against the All Blacks, and for the remainder of The Rugby Championship.
If Quade plays, there will be at least one important defensive lapse, although it will probably be outweighed by his contributions with ball in hand. He may still have the odd brain-fade, but the range of passing, and the subtle variations of positioning in attack are still spectacular.
The choice of Samu is a no-brainer: Australia simply has no other player with his combination of power, physicality and offloading skills in the midfield. He is even more powerful than De Allende, and that is saying something. He could become the dominant midfield personality of the entire tournament.
Whatever Dave Rennie does, it looks like Australia will be looking towards age and maturity, in order to play a more youthful, cutting-edge game on attack. Their head coach will be turning back the hands of time in order to move the Wallabies development schedule ahead before the World Cup arrives in 2023.
Fox
Roar Guru
Actually Nick I am not sure JG will win it over ALB...As the story goes as you know only too well it can be tough reclaiming your spot after being out for so long in such a contested position. And Goodhue plays at 12 and Ennor at 13 more often than not for the Crusaders when both are fit.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Oops.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Yes fair enough, I do have a very different view. Anyone who believes that Havili-Ioane is the centre partnership to take the ABs to the WC is living in la-la land. ALB should be the #1 choice in the centres, and that may only change with Jack Goodhue coming back from injury.
Somer
Guest
If Foster thinks Reiko is a center then that's sure confirmation that Reiko is in fact a winger. A more clueless AB coach we haven't had for sometime. Defensive stats don't tell you that Reiko got nowhere near to making tackles he should have in the center channel and attacking stats don't tell you that Reiko's decision making and distribution at center is poor. Nobody would dispute Reiko's speed and ability to beat a man but that's why he's so suited to wing.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
That just doesn't make sense. Why would I just come out and say "he didn't build a team of yes men" except to disagree with someone who thought he did? You've proven nothing. How can you know that when Henry was the same age he was bringing in his own assistants at Auckland? How can you know that Thorn didn't ask Queensland for top notch assistants? Have you seen any evidence that he's not liked having coaches who aren't yes men? He's clearly working well with them, how does that tally with someone who is determined to be surrounded by yes men as you claim? As for the players I've clearly explained the difference between being a yes man and being someone who will be a positive example of the team culture. Still, you've clearly made your mind up. I hope you enjoyed watching that bunch of yes men bringing the silverware and crowds back to Suncorp.
Fox
Roar Guru
Fair enough Nick but Foster has a slightly different view. Here is quote only yesterday from Foster on Reiko. “Rieko is on top of his game,” said Foster. “He’s confident. I like his growth at both centre and wing. We’ve always seen him as a wing who wants to play centre and now that’s starting to even out a little bit. “He will go back into centre at some point, but right now his confidence is high, he’s running fast and I’m enjoying his workrate and contribution off the park.” This is not shouting out that Foster thinks Reiko is not a centre. As I say, it may surprise you but his defensive stats are superior to ALB’s in Super comp and his attacking stats at centre – there is simply daylight second in NZ. But fair enough you have different view.
Who
Roar Rookie
You were the one who claimed he didn't build a coaching group of yes men, or a team of yes men. I think the claims around players not being yes men have been thoroughly debunked, and I think that, in pointing out that the QRU organized McKay (which never happens - seriously, can you imagine Ted or Shag allowing anyone to appoint their assistant coaches?), I think it's shown that Thorn didn't 'build' his coaching team that isn't full of yes men. For example: QRU interim CEO David Hanham said McKay's experience was a key factor in his appointment. “We’ve been focused on ensuring we have the best coaches with experience and proven success surrounding Brad Thorn that can continue to develop the quality playing talent that is coming through the Queensland system," he said. So, THEY (the QRU) were after the best coaches surrounding Thorn. Not Thorn surrounding himself with the best. That also tallies with an article I read where they interviewed Sam Cordingley, who was part of the hiring committee that selected McKay. In terms of the 'good players make good ABs', I'm not so sure they're still using that rule. There's still some quality blokes in there, but it doesn't seem the standard is as high as it once was. And I don't consider them to be the same exemplars of the spirit of the game that the Black Caps are. Thorn was in some excellent coaching setups in terms of culture. But being in excellent coaching setups doesn't mean you're the kind of person who'll soak it up and learn all the lessons. Some of the lessons, maybe, but even if you learn about culture, that doesn't mean you'll learn the rest of the IP. Beyond that, I think at least part of his dedication to culture comes from his own life and character away from the game (starting with a Kangaroos tour rooming with Jason Stevens), and I've said that he's a singularly impressive human. Anything further is a bit pointless, because it goes beyond that initial scope.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Mate, when you're pressing charges it's up to you to do the proving. Isn't "supporting" someone consistent with giving them what they ask for? If Thorn was so determined to work with yes men and these high performing experienced coaches were imposed on him and a threat to his insecure leadership, wouldn't we see some evidence of friction or frustration? Instead we see a successful coaching team of strong successful individuals where everyone knows their roles and is comfortable with that. Clearly not an insecure leader who needs to be surrounded by yes men. Sorry, but the whole assertion gets more and more ridiculous the more I think about it. Where you seem to be confused is the difference between a "yes man" and someone who will be a positive example of the team culture. Thorn has played for the Broncos, All Blacks and Crusaders at very strong times in their history. He knows what a good culture looks like and he knows that it is absolutely crucial. Nothing and nobody can be allowed to destroy it - you will be aware for instance of the All Blacks' "no DH" policy. Compromise in this area is disastrous. Queensland and Australia are reaping the rewards of this stance. Instead of the Queensland kids coming into the low performing culture that Thorn inherited, they are in an environment where they are able to grow and thrive. Never ever take that for granted, few teams achieve it, especially those that have been mired for years in underachievement. Thorn's refusal to compromise on the culture has been a key enabler for this, it's so sad that some won't accept this and double down in their criticism of it, despite the ever more inconvenient success that team has enjoyed.
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
NB We are back to talking about Quake Cooper! Oh, the column centimeters that will create if he gets a run on or even a bench play. I love it, Quake is our modern-day Campo, love him or hate him when he is on song it’s all beautiful. My guess is a run-on spot with Noah on the pine. Nothing to lose and mountains to gain. I hope Rennie has the balls!
Who
Roar Rookie
Thorn's success is easy to work out. He's got a team fed by the best talent development system in Australia (QRU NRC teams, when they existed), he brought in a hard culture of discipline and adherence, and he's got the best attack coach in the country (thank you QRU). The eventual success doesn't demonstrate that he's not the same type of coach that he was 4 years ago, or that he's responsible for anything more than I've identified. Thorn may have asked for top notch assistants, but that's not the way the press releases were worded. It was all about the QRU supporting Thorn. Further, most head coaches sort out their own assistants. This all started off the charge that Thorn wants a culture of yes men. Show me where you've managed to disprove that? Or reasons for significant doubt? Eddie and 2007? No question, they finished last. But that doesn't mean the entire year was wasted. It doesn't mean the team was ready to win (I can't think of any coach who's taken an SR team from last to finals in a single year without an underperforming player group). And 2007 finished up ok for Eddie - he did, after all, participate in a winning RWC campaign.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Yes and those things can change and evolve over time. Slipper is an absolute asset to the brumbies and I'm sure Thorn would love him or someone of his caliber at the reds. But, he wasn't that person when he was let go and if anything him getting caught helped him become the man he is now. Thorn hired JOC under similar pretenses of redemption/2nd chance etc etc. I also think that if a player is talented enough they'll almost always get re-hired. Look at JOC and the number of clubs he moved between. Folau was still getting games until recently.
Bunratty c
Roar Rookie
Florida State
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
I'm a Reds fan but not a blind one. Best team in Australia for sure but the bar is low there. Without JOC they weren't near as good. He's been the biggest difference over the last two years.
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
Fair enough. Maybe I’m interpreting the term differently, or maybe I’m simply forgetting their management as it is overshadowed by their attacking prowess in my mind.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Yes I do - Gregan in particular was the best game manager of his day.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Ah so their top notch results have nothing to do with the head coach who sets the culture. You're living in denial mate.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
The Reds finished stone cold last the year Jones had them. Maybe he should have let his assistants do their job and concentrated on the big picture like a proper head coach :laughing: All you're giving me is guesswork. Extrapolating his role as a player to his role as a coach. Assuming that he didn't ask Queensland for top notch coaches. It's almost as if you came to your conclusion four years ago and need to find excuses to diminish his transformational success.
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
But if we won the World Cup in ‘99 without really having a game manager at 9 or 10 then at that point at least there were other ways to make it work - is that still the case? Or do you think my assumptions on Gregan and Larkham both not being game managers is selling them short?
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
We're going a bit nuts over here too... 90% jabbed but it's become an excuse not to any care at all! You a Miami State man?
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Kerevi-Paisami is def where you'd looking for the WC in 2023, with Len Ikitau developing fast behind them...