Dave Rennie brought Quade Cooper back into the fold ahead of the Bledisloe Cup, and you could forgive him if he’s wondering if he might have caused himself a headache he didn’t need.
So far Rennie has resisted the urge to give Cooper playing time, and the decision to leave him out of the squad for Bledisloe 3 in Perth last weekend seemed to have ended the debate on whether he should return to the Wallabies team in some form.
But another feeble effort, and another unconvincing backline display has only seen the Quade calls intensify again.
“I was surprised he didn’t get picked last week,” former Test halfback, and Cooper’s friend, Will Genia told The Roar.
“People will say I’m biased but I’d love to see him given an opportunity. People want to talk about the future and fair enough but what does the future matter if you’re not achieving anything in the present?
“You’ve got to manage that. It’s a four year cycle between World Cups but say you have 15 Tests a year in between – that’s 60 test matches – essentially a person’s Test career. So to say it’s just about the World Cup…
“They obviously treat these Test matches seriously but we can’t keep saying we need to build for the future so we keep giving these kids an opportunity. We have to manage that and find a balance.”
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for the ARU)
Lote Tuqiri, who played in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, on Thursday called for Cooper’s return for the first time in the national team since 2017.
“I’ve always liked Quade Cooper,” Tuqiri said.
“He’s in the squad, he’s been in and around that time for a while … I’m not saying Noah Lolesio is not the option, (but) Noah probably needs a bit of a rest at the moment.
“He’s only a young guy. Feeling that constant pressure each week can get a bit tough.
“He’s only young in his Wallabies career, so give him a week or two off and let Quade take some of these games.
“He can help take the pressure off (Lolesio) and then Noah can come take over probably for the last couple of games – that’s what I’d do.”
Mat Rogers, also a member of the Wallabies’ 2003 World Cup squad, was less direct than his former teammate, but still positive about Cooper’s potential impact.
“Quade is an out and out star of the game,” Rogers said.
“Are his best days behind him or ahead of him? Who knows, but he needs an opportunity to see that.
“I think he’s a freak. I’d love to see him playing but at whose expense?
“Do you persist with what we’re going with at the moment or do you give Quade in and give him a run?”
Tuqiri said he also like to see Rennie start Taniela Tupou, the so-called ‘Tongan Thor’ against a top class Springboks pack.
Tupou has been a bench forward in four of Australia’s six Tests in 2021, playing just 52 minutes in the two most recent games after being a big hit in the role against France.
Tuqiri says Tupou should be a first-choice front-rower.
“Maybe I’m old school, but I’d play my best XV. I’d start with my best XV and then let everything else get dealt with after that,” Tuqiri told AAP.
“I know you probably want to bring him on when things have cooled down and people are tired and he can use his destructive running a little bit more.
“You’d tell him that but I think for Taniela, he probably wants to start as well.
“So you’ve got to wonder what that’s doing for his confidence from a mental point of view.
“For me, I want my best XV starting – I’m starting Taniela Tupou.”
Taniela Tupou. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Tuqiri was a fan of Rennie’s decision to add 38-year-old Greg Holmes to his squad.
An injury to Pone Fa’amausili opened the door for Holmes, who last played for the Wallabies in 2016.
“Whether he plays or not, I don’t know, but I think he’s great to have in the squad as a bit of a mentor to the younger blokes,” Tuqiri said.
“Everything like that helps when you’re facing the All Blacks in a Test or you’re facing the Springboks. That’s where their games are won and lost.”
The Springboks named their team on Wednesday with a bench featuring three loose forwards and no reserve second row along with props Ox Nche and Vincent Koch and hooker Malcolm Marx.
Franco Mostert, who can play second row, starts at No.7 in a back row alongside skipper Siya Kolisi and Duane Vermeulen.
“I know it looks weird having three loose forwards on the bench but you must remember that one of our locks is playing loose forward for us in the starting line-up in terms of Franco,” said Jacques Nienaber.
“It looks weird. Why would you have three loose forwards on the bench? But we are starting three locks if you put it like that.
“If you look at how Australia play all the Test matches, they play with pace and tempo and massive continuity and stuff like that and an awesome skill set in terms of having the capability to stretch you from touchline to touchline. That was the reason.”
Vermeulen is back for his first Test appearance since World Cup final in November 2019.
“He is on track in terms of where we thought he would be in his return to rugby. Like anybody, it will take some time to get used to the pace,” Nienaber said.
“It takes a couple of matches to get used to the pace of international rugby again but in saying that Duane has been part of the Springboks for over 50 Tests.
“He is an experienced player, he has been there before, he almost knows the shortcuts to things on the field so happy, we are exactly where we thought he would be now and I can’t wait for him to get back on the field now. How many minutes? It will depend on how the game unfolds on the day.”
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
ABs haven’t been better at scrum time at all. Where have you got that? Australia won the penalty count. I do agree ABs front row have been far more effective around the park, carrying more frequently and effectively.
Somer
Guest
That's not dominance, that's a ref guessing. Pretty sure the penalties were for the opposite side of the scrum anyway. Big Karl has handled TT quite easily over this series.
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
HJ It is our death by kindness, throwing the young ones in to learn early how to lose matches. These men should be allowed to mature before crushing them in the pressure of a 10 spot. WE get desperate for quick fixes. We never learn....
Puff
Roar Rookie
The dilemma for Dave Rennie, his present situation has numerous complexities; the team requires a play maker. Noah’s ability to control critical pressure situations has question marks and in truth QC also has a number of terra incognita concerns. The gent has not played test match quality rugby for a considerable period and to be fair, has been hibernating in the wilderness. Hodge has had game time and although not your quintessential first choice, has played in the 10 position before and offers the Bok a different look. To date this season, the Springbok have played a repetitive brand of rugby and depend on their mobile pack to carry the day. To counter this playing style the Wallabies will need to be much more vivacious, challenging and play up-tempo rugby, a big ask? The predicament for Dave Rennie; he is not spoiled for choice within his stable and to be competitive against the Bok the Wallabies will need to lift to another level. To see that would make my weekend complete.
Lastman
Roar Rookie
Agree that Tupou is the best tight head prop in Australia. But they put him on when the game is already lost. He needs to start. Tupou and Bell are the future front rowers especially in the world cup. The Wallabies can't afford to lose those two to French or Japanese rugby. Hope not, but, conversely, the Wallabies can afford to lose Slipper and Alan overseas.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"AAA" I have read that in the past people were referred to by name, so that casual readers would be aware who was being discussed. For good reason I no longer know, like many people, all of the players by name and now I find the kiddie contributors expect me to find a team list somewhere before I know who they are getting excited about. I suppose being edgy is more important than clear communication.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
Nuclear hot take.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
I like it but would switch in White and maybe Petaia to wing
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
Thorn’s ability to man manage and select a team are yet to be determined, in my humble opinion. Nella is obviously one of the most talented men in his squad so it’s no stroke of genius to praise him.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Mr Harper Who's your legend? Genia ?? - you can't be serious. Will had 4 good years (never great) as WB halfback at beginning of his career and then declined continuously until 2019 RWC. In last 3 years of his career he was a poor Test halfback imo and should never have been picked for any WBs teams in 2019. His career was decent to ok - nothing more Please stop throwing around adjectives like "legend" to the undeserving. Will is now trying to turn himself into a commentator and I find most of his comments bizarre to downright silly. He almost always tries to talk up his Qld mates. He's no legend and he's doing it again with Tupou and Quade now :thumbup:
Harry Jones
Expert
Wallabies should take a gamble with a pairing of White-Quade. The youngsters may not be ready.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
He won at least two penalties at scrum time on Sunday against ABs...
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Good points Will Genia makes. As a fan I could care less about ‘building’ (most likely unsuccessfully) for the world cup. Each test match is must win. When you invest heavily in 1 player it is a big gamble – injuries, form etc can derail the 4 year plans. A year is a lifetime in sport
TheTruth08
Roar Rookie
My ideal team if i was the coach lol 1 - Slipper 2 - BPA 3 - AAA 4 - Rodda 5 - Salakai loto 6 - Wilson 7 - Hooper 8 - Naisarani 9 - Mcdermott 10 - QC 11 - Marika 12 - Kerevi 13 - Paisami 14 - Kellaway 15 - Hodge 16 - Folau 17 - Tupou 18 - Bell 19 - Philip/Swain 20 -Samu 21 - white 22 - Paiaua 23 - JOC
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
If Hooper is out then McRight will start. Anything else is not a good selection IMO. Also AAA won’t captain, Slipper will get the nod as he took over once Hooper went off to get stitched up.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
What the heck would Lote know about props. Seriously???
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
If that is the team with white starting over Tate then there will be 0 reds in the starting team. That outrage will be the end of Dave as a coach with regards to fans north of the Tweed. A vote of no confidence will echo the halls. I personally have this game as being a 50/50 chance of a win regardless of who starts. But if we get flogged with only one (or possibly 0) reds in the starting line up it won’t end well. A win will just have Aus fans gloating about the “over rated” boks and selection questions will be lost to the wind.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
at least with Hodge at ten it will straighten attack ,kerevi another direct runner and there's alot to like about ikitau.The fullback is the question Kellaway looks sound and Petaia on wing with koribete.We def need a Pocock type thief you simply can't let good teams get so many phases out defence can't stand it.Surely Pocock can teach the whole pack some tricks so one of them can grab a turnover once in a while Latu was good like that.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
But then bodger DR needs to pick players that have a tactical kicking ability like a Harrison type of player..
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Yeah his kicking game long and short is what he needs to improve but also his decision making of when kicking is the best option in attack or when the team need him to kick to relieve pressure. He's only 21 so he's going to get a lot better and has had some great exposure this year but not replacing him when he's not doing the job doesn't send the right message. It wouldn't be a bad thing for him to be out of the squad or on the pine this weekend.