What’s the old saying? A picture is worth a thousand words.
If that’s the case, day one of Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies training camp was fascinating.
With the kangaroos bouncing around the fields at Sanctuary Cove, Jones sat in circle with six experienced players.
Four of the faces were expected – Michael Hooper, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa and Nic White – but the other two revealed the growing influence of Andrew Kellaway and Jed Holloway.
Coach Eddie Jones talks with six experienced players during day one of his first Wallabies training camp at Sanctuary Cove on April 17, 2023. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Both are emerging leaders, having ridden the highs and lows of life and sport. They’ve been chewed up and spat out by an unforgiving Australian sports market.
Importantly, however, both returned to Australian rugby better players. Their scars and life experience are like gold for a squad that is looking to discover its edge.
There sat Jones’ likely Wallabies leadership group. Six of them.
Two months earlier Jones spoke about the possibility of needing seven skippers.
“I reckon we’ll need probably seven captains with HIA, so you can all write down your seven choices on a slip and you can send them through to me,” Jones joked with reporters.
“But in all seriousness, the way the game is at the moment, I think we’re going to need a number of captains.
“I’m just working out what will best suit the team, firstly for the Rugby Championship and then obviously as an entree into the World Cup.
“We’ll just work out who has the title of captain, and how many captains we have.”
Could there be one more name to add to Jones’ group of six?
Quade Cooper during a Wallabies training session at Royal Pines Resort on July 27, 2022. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Quade Cooper has had more pages devoted to him than any other Australian player over the past 15 years, but the 35-year-old could in fact hold the Wallabies’ World Cup destiny in his hands.
At the very least, it is likely Cooper, who has often run the show, held the playbook and taken control himself even when not asked, will be a part of Jones’ leadership team.
Twelve years ago Cooper had been trusted by then Wallabies coach Robbie Deans throughout the infancy of his international career.
At the last moment, on the world’s biggest stage, something changed. Cooper felt constrained and he played like a man with a million thoughts in his heads.
But could Jones give the keys to Cooper in yet another remarkable turn of events and go all-in on the old pro?
Just like Ireland’s Johnny Sexton, what Cooper has lost in spark he has added in wisdom on the field. He’s discovered less is more in time.
When Sexton plays, Ireland win.
Ditto, the Wallabies with Cooper in the No.10 jersey.
The Wallabies haven’t lost with Quade Cooper in the No.10 jersey since returning to international rugby in 2021. Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images
In the six Tests Cooper has played since ending his four-year international exile in 2021, the Wallabies have won every match.
If Cooper is fit, it seems apparent he starts. And not just for 50 minutes, but likely 80.
How many others fall into that category?
Props Slipper and Alaalatoa don’t. The No.7 position is too arduous in the modern game, particularly by an aging Hooper, while Holloway is no certainty to start.
While Antoine Dupont is the only halfback who can get through 80 minutes.
Kellaway is perhaps the only other player who fits the bill but might find himself too far from the action and has held few titles in the past despite his obvious leadership characteristics.
Allan Alaalatoa (2nd left), James Slipper (2nd right) of the Wallabies and Michael Hooper (r) are set to be in Eddie Jones’ leadership group. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
In Cooper, the Wallabies have someone who is possibly more respected more than ever before. After all, his rise has been spectacular after his spectacular fall.
Having turned his life around, it feels like the Zen Cooper, should he get his body right and be fit to take on the world, is destined to have one last chapter written in his extraordinary story.
For Cooper, results and actions don’t define him.
After his spectacular return against the Springboks on the Gold Coast, he said his matchwinning kick would not have defined him. It’s a mindset change that he has carried ever since moving to Japan.
On Thursday, he once again spoke of that approach to life.
“Coming back from injury is never easy, but it’s an opportunity to grow mentally, physically, and emotionally,” he posted on social media ahead of his return on Saturday for Kintetsu – which is expected to be very brief.
“From the day I got injured I knew I was ready for the challenges this journey would provide. For me it’s never about reaching the finish line or ticking off boxes, it’s about embracing the process and the challenges that come with it.
“The work doesn’t stop just because I’m nearing the end of the injury process. In fact, that’s when the real work begins. The goal is always progress not perfection.”
It seems in line with what Jones wants, knowing this World Cup campaign is like none other he has led before.
“The first thing they’ve got to be able to do is lead themselves,” Jones said earlier in the year.
“I think whenever you get into a difficult situation, the playing group looks at the head coach and the playing group looks at the captain.
“If you’ve had a bad result, they look to see whether that person walks in with a confidence in their step and a glint in their eyes and they know what’s coming next.
“They’ve got to be able to influence other players to bring the best out of themselves and they’ve got to be able to be a great role model themself.”
For a side desperate to discover winning quickly to complete Jones’ “smash and grab” job, Cooper could well be the missing figure in the new Wallaby coach’s leadership team.
Quade with no Kerevi was pretty grim especially how they had Paisami trying to play that role.
PeterK
Roar Guru
so AAA and Slipper your nominated team men do things for free? Also QC wasn't paid for mentoring / assistance when he first joined the squad. Of course he was paid when they played him like all players were.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Peter, you're kidding yourself. Do you think QC is a member of the Salvos and does that stuff for free ? :happy:
Big A
Roar Rookie
Thanks Christie - I saw that in your article that he was basically only going to step onto the field in order to gain qualification status - out of curiosity how far away are these end of year playoff games in Japan - hopefully they're a couple of months away so as Quade can have more time to get his injury right
numpty
Roar Rookie
How much better did the wallabies do last year with Hooper out?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He’s been a consistent starter for 3 years. He’s as safe as anybody. Maybe he gets overtaken, but thats the same for anybody on any team
Fair Dinkum
Roar Rookie
Hooper worst captaincy record ever - should not even be considered. Whilst we're talking about considerations Fraser McReight is our best #7.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Walk a mile in his shoes ! Legend !
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Sounds like the VOICE or the two RBA advisory bodies with an all that advice . Slipper and Aalotau will be there . Hooper shouldn’t be . Kelloway will be lucky to hold his spot . White certainly will be there . I hope that Holloway is but he is not a leader . The Captain should be Quadie if he is out there . Eddie wants the 10 to run the show . That’s fair enough if you have Farrell , Sexton , Quadie , Pollard or Russell . I know that Finn is not Captain but he runs the show . It didn’t work with Smith and it won’t work with Gordon . Lest we forget Foley and Donaldson . You will I expect notice that the brilliant NTmack doesn’t run the show for France but he is as good as any 10 in WR . It is very hard for Lolisio to run the show at the Brumbies , he is more NTmack than Sexton . If like Eddie you don’t think he’s any good , check his winning record and his tackles made . Ikatu and Valentini lead by example and exude leadership . Nathan Cleary apparently is the future captain . The Haemor once lost his way in Penrith returning from Yass where he was hanging out with the squatters . He very neatly ended up in dags bin . Meanwhile Eddie’s firsts , the Tahs and his seconds the Rebs obviously didn’t learn much doing the dance of the elephants up in Nimbin Smokin yarndi . Eddie wisely says that results don’t interest him mate , he watches individuals . So far it’s been a bad week for his favoured individuals . ie Donaldson , perhaps Suvaalii can produce some million dollar form at last when Eddie watches the Roosters on Tuesday. Has the Haemor heard of Pat Carrigan ? Pay is well connected with Rugby .
PeterK
Roar Guru
of course he is. Consider he was willing to join the wallaby squad with no offer of any game time, just to mentor the young no 9's, and help coach attack. He trained hard despite this, helped everywhere in the squads and then happy to step in to play when asked. Also his play was all team based, never about him, he made the players around him play better. A greater team man than any other based on what he has actually done.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Place kicking is not Sexton's primary role. His primary role is game management, he is essentially a coach on the field. That is what Quade can bring and what the wallabies need. Wallabies still didn't look that great when they had kerevi but no Quade.
RD
Roar Rookie
I believe the name missing is Samu Kerevi and not Quade Cooper. Kerevi is the man the wallabies need desperately to give it balance. With Gordon now firing a 9-10-12 axis of Lonergran (over White for Goal kicking/kicker), Gordon/Cooper, Kerevi is the right balance. If White occupies 9, then it’s Foley at 10 purely on his place kicking and Kerevi at 12. For all his razzle and dazzle cooper is the worse place kicker and to win a WC you need a place kicker. We continuously talk about Sexton as a talisman but he their place kicker and that’s his primary role.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Jed and Kells could also reflect leaders of different areas of the game. Jed lineout, and Kellaway back 3. Slips and Allan run the scrum, hoops and white around the ground.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
Kellaway also potentially misses the 23. With MK, Petaia and Wright looking like the starters he's probably the bench option, but Nawa might have something to say about that. Then there's the issue of Vunivalu having a secret vault of evidence of bad stuff EJ has done, I mean how else does he get anywhere near the team? But EJ seems to love him.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ Once the game is decided one way or another he should come off the field. Also he should only play against T1 teams in the rwc.” Peter I hope Eddie agrees. I’d go as far as playing him off the bench until finals. The 10/bench mix will be crucial for WBs from now till then.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ With the kangaroos bouncing around the fields at Sanctuary Cove, Jones sat in circle with six experienced players” Yes Jacko, I too wondered if kumbaya was on Eddie’s playlist.
Wig
Roar Rookie
unfortunately I don't think its going to end well for qc this year, im not saying it disrespectfuly before people jump on. Recurring/present injuries and fitness.
Wig
Roar Rookie
Kurtley Beale controversially left out of EOYT. Thats the only thing I agree with you about the rest is just dribble. He will never be near the wallabys or super teams again, total liability took hot
Christy Doran
Editor
I was told yesterday that Cooper will barely play. He's miles away from being ready, but Kintetsu need him to take the field to be eligible for the promotion/relegation playoffs.
Christy Doran
Editor
Going great, but World Cups are won with experience at 10. Gordon going very well. Could make the squad, but big ask to start.