Rugby Australia amended its overseas-based player policy with three players who ply their trade abroad able to be picked for the Wallabies. Photo: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images
Quade Cooper set for shock Wallabies start against All Blacks
Flyhalf Quade Cooper looks set for a shock start for Australia against New Zealand in their third Bledisloe Cup clash in Perth on 5 September.
Rugby Australia amended its overseas-based player policy with three players who ply their trade abroad able to be picked for the Wallabies. Photo: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images
Flyhalf Quade Cooper looks set for a shock start for Australia against New Zealand in their third Bledisloe Cup clash in Perth on 5 September.
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Quade Cooper was a surprise call-up to the squad having not played for the Wallabies since 2017 after falling out with previous head coach Michael Cheika.
Following James O’Connor’s injury, new Australia coach Dave Rennie felt he needed an extra playmaker and has duly brought the 33-year-old in from the cold.
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“He’s been fantastic in the group. Can’t speak highly enough of him,” Rennie told reporters.
“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 number of the boys were doing out on the field here or down at the gym.
“He’s been a big contributor to all meetings and discussions and prepared to share his mileage 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 play, so he’s been great, and he’s applying pressure on us for selection.”
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Meanwhile, centre Samu Kerevi is another to return to the squad after missing the past two years due to playing in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath and will be in the frame for next weekend’s clash.
“He’s been excellent. Like Quade, he’s an experienced man who is contributing really well. There’s a fair bit to get your head around, of course, but he’s been excellent,” Rennie said.
“He’s obviously played over in Suntory. A good mate of mine, Jason O’Halloran, coaches over there. He gave me some really positive feedback around Samu, his preparation and the detail around trying to be better each day, and we’re seeing evidence of that in our squad.”
The All Blacks have already retained the Bledisloe Cup for an incredible 19th-straight year.
