In what is perhaps a pointer to Eddie Jones’ World Cup thinking, the returning Australian coach is set to call-up Japanese-based Wallabies Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi for next week’s Barbarians invitational fixture against Steve Hansen’s World XV.
Despite time being of the essence less than four months out from the World Cup, Jones will return to Twickenham for the first time since being sacked by the Rugby Football Union last December to coach the Barbarians for their May 28 fixture – the day after the English Premiership final.
The Roar understands the final details are being put in place to allow both Cooper and Kerevi to line up in the fixture, with a who’s who set to play for the World XV including Charles Piutau, Marika Koroibete, Semi Radradra and Israel Folau.
Samu Kerevi and Quade Cooper. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Their call-ups are fascinating given what’s on the horizon.
Robbed of crucial time in the saddle this year after devastating season-ending injuries just weeks apart last August, the high-profile Wallabies made their returns earlier this month for their respective Japanese sides.
Cooper, returning from a ruptured Achilles heel, played less than a minute of time for Kintetsu Liners to ensure he was eligible to take the field for their promotion/relegation matches.
He then ensured the Liners will stay in the League One competition, as he immediately led to the turnaround in their fortunes guiding them to back-to-back victories.
Along the way, Cooper hit some crucial time markers in an encouraging sign moving forward.
Kerevi, meanwhile, made his return for Suntory Sungoliath in their semi-final loss to Bernard Foley’s Kubota Spears after his ACL injury during last year’s Commonwealth Games campaign.
The powerful midfielder came off the bench and played 23 minutes.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones will oversee the Barbarians later this month as he returns to Twickenham for the first time since being sacked by the RFU. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Both men were chosen in Jones’ April World Cup training squad and appeared via Zoom, ensuring they were across the detail should both be chosen for higher honours later this year.
The duo last combined during the 2021 Rugby Championship, leading the Wallabies to back-to-back victories against the Springboks and Pumas in Australia.
Jones met the pair during a recent trip to Japan.
During the Australian’s visit, he smoothed things over with Kerevi. His ‘TBC’ has now been scratched, with Kerevi on board for the Wallabies’ World Cup tilt should he be selected.
The experienced Wallabies shape as crucial figures in Jones’ World Cup tilt.
This month’s Barbarians match will allow Jones some more time with the pair and, importantly, some more kilometres in the legs against a dazzling side with some of the most electric players in the world.
Both are likely first XV players when fit, with Cooper unbeaten in six Tests since making his return for the Wallabies after a four-year exile. It’s that stat alone that has many believing he’s ahead of Foley despite the former Waratahs playmaker in superb form in Japan.
Jones has just five Tests – and four before he must name a World Cup squad – to work out his preferred side before the Wallabies run out against Georgia in their first World Cup fixture against Georgia at the Stade de France in Paris on September 10.
Jones said he was looking forward to his former home.
“I am very much looking forward to returning to Twickenham Stadium — a venue I have so many fond memories of — as head coach of the Barbarians, and I’m more motivated than ever to put on a show,” he said.
Pisda Chastna
Roar Rookie
Now that would be Chaos/Kaos !
Pisda Chastna
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Big A
Roar Rookie
hey Max - go talk to 99
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Fair, but the Wallabies have always punched above their weight and in Dean's era they had SA's number. If players like Samu Kerevi, Cooper, Ikitau, Koroibete, Kellaway, White, Petaia/Wright/Marky Mark in the backs... Taniela Tupou, Latu, Slips, Frost, Rodda, Phillip, Hooper/McReight, Valentini, Samu/Holloway were available in the forwards and had developed their combinations over the last few years... I think they would be up there. Their lack of depth kills them because they don't have much in the way of impact players to bring on in the last 20.
Shaka
Roar Rookie
"when realisticallly they should be sitting around 4th. " Very generous, 5th maybe 6th. Ireland France Ab Sa Eng/AUS
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The more I think about it the more I agree JD. It could be seen as abuse of the Baa Baa concept by an opportunist Jones, but I could also see it as great luck for him (and us) to be in control of such a team. Will this Baa Baa outing ever have had more Australian eyeballs?
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Absolutely meaningless and dangerous to our campaign...
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Imagine if Quade comes through 100% from this and then tears his calf in the last game before the WC? I'd rather loose him now or in game one of the RC than later. Get them on the pitch to make sure they are good to go.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
If they both get injured he knows he needs to find replacements ASAP.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing: ….. :crying:
No Arms
Roar Rookie
He wanted to be there.
PeterK
Roar Guru
chivas – It is invitational. it is supposed to be all current or former intl’s with the exception of normally 1 exciting emerging player not yet an intl. I remember mat rogers when he converted to union got a run in baa baa’s before he made the wallabies. Normally they want as many players with flair / x-factor / or are popular with public throughout the team.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
The two players and Jones know their stuff. If they're ready to run around against top opposition, it's great for them to get the chance to do so. If not, I'm sure they won't push it
Cec
Roar Rookie
Someone please remind Eddie that he’s not “putting on a show” the players are.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Common sense would get in the way one would hope. :silly:
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
We’ve seen Tim Horan and Quade do their knee with nothing more than a sidestep. Quade wasn’t in contact when he did his Achilles. Kerevi was in training when he did his knee. I did my knee on the drink at Bullwinkles in Townsville, but that might not be relevant. These injuries weren’t related to the intensity of test rugby - most injuries aren’t. It’ll suck if they do get hurt but if they do it won’t be related to any increased intensity - it’ll just be bad luck. Their doctors have already cleared them to return to rugby, which means they’re good to go.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Quade has played two games of finals footy in the past 2 weeks. Will the Baabaas’ game somehow place more pressure on his Achilles?
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Let’s see if Kerevi and Quade share your opinion.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Good taste and/or a moral compass. Does he even have form? What can he do that Jordan Petaia cannot do far better? And I’m not sure if JP is the best option for fullback. Folau dragged Oz rugby through the mud - he’s persona non grata imo.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Two posts ago you were saying Eddie Jones should play Carter Gordon for the Barbarians - now he’s injured?