LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 08: Quade Cooper of Australia makes a break past Joaquin Tuculet of Argentina and Martin Landajo of Argentina during the Rugby Championship match between Argentina and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on October 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Cooper told to take less risks to earn Wallaby recall
Quade Cooper has been told what he needs to do to get into Australia’s Rugby World Cup plans.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 08: Quade Cooper of Australia makes a break past Joaquin Tuculet of Argentina and Martin Landajo of Argentina during the Rugby Championship match between Argentina and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on October 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Former dual code Rugby international Michael O’Connor has addressed the future of talismanic back Quade Cooper after being appointed as the new Wallaby selector.
O’Connor said that the door remained open for Cooper, who was integral in the Rebels upset win over the Brumbies in round one of Super Rugby, but conceded that he would have to reassess the options he takes in high-risk situations.
Cooper is undoubtedly a game-breaker but O’Connor wants to see the playmaker exercise better option taking and limit the number of no-look passes he throws especially at critical moments.
When asked in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald if Cooper was in the frame for a recall to the gold jersey, O’Connor said:
“There are still areas in his game he needs work on and if he can improve those, well then he’ll be in the reckoning.
“I would be very surprised if Michael [Cheika] didn’t agree with that.
“At Test level though you can’t be throwing blind passes. You can’t be taking risks at the line.”
O’Connor stressed that his role was one that is intended to support the aims of head coach Michael Cheika and he expects to be involved in lengthy conversations with Aussie rugby’s top coach. One area set for hot debate is around the number sevens position and the makeup of the loose trio.
He added: “There may be a different perspective I put on the table and I’m sure Johnno will do the same. The most important thing is we have a healthy discussion and debate about combinations. It’s helpful just to have another set of eyes and perspective.
“Ultimately Michael is responsible for the side and he will pick the players he wants and that is the way it should be but there will be a healthy discussion.”
“You’d like to have a discussion about David Pocock playing No.7. If (Cheika) has got strong reasons to keep things the way he has, well that’s fine, but I think we should have the discussion and we will have the discussion. It’ll be interesting.
“When I was a selector we had Phil Waugh and George Smith as back-rowers. Back then we didn’t start Waughy because we had a couple of big, very effective back-rowers in Cliffy Palu and Rocky Elsom. Hooper and Pocock are two of the best back-rowers in the game so we’re very fortunate. To leave one off, I think there is always going to be an argument.”
Australia will compete in an abbreviated Rugby Championship this year, with international and domestic schedules effected by the World Cup in Japan.
