He’s the 2015 Carlos Spencer and the Southern Hemisphere version of Thomas Castaignede and since signing to play for Toulon after the Rugby World Cup in the past month, it’s fair to say Quade Cooper’s stocks haven’t particularly skyrocketed down under. He’s a talent that has always promised so much yet has delivered so little. But while the New Zealand born out-half struggles with injury through the Reds’ disappointing Super Rugby season, one can’t help but feel that if the Wallabies are going to be anywhere near the business end of the 2015 Rugby World Cup then Cooper needs to play a huge role in the campaign.
An enigma at the best of times, Cooper’s seemed to meander rather than excel through the past few years of his rugby career. Undoubtedly talented, his commitment to the game has been questioned more than a few times in the past couple of years. After playing a large part in the Wallabies’ failed World Cup campaign in 2011, Cooper tried his hand in the boxing ring in a move that had many questioning his future and his total dedication to the game. Whether it was a choice recommended through management (he and Sonny Bill Williams – also known for the odd bout of professional boxing – share the same manager in Khoder Nasser) or a mere opportunity to earn some promotional points outside the game that has made him a star, many felt it was a misguided step for the path of a professional rugby player.
The doubts of whether he has what it takes to really smash through the roof of rugby stardom have continued as we get closer to rugby’s flagship event in September. In addition to the injuries he’s had to endure, Cooper’s consistency on the field has significantly diminished in the past few seasons leading to the 27 year old losing his role as the Wallabies’ number one fly-half – though he has tended to wear a lot of the blame from fans for a number of poor Wallabies’ performances. He seems to be a player that just hasn’t quite filled his potential and/or done justice to the amount of sheer talent he has.
On his day, Cooper is up there with the best two or three number tens in the game and while he’s had a very stop-start season, his most recent Super Rugby performance for the Reds might just be an indication that he’s building up some steam before the International season (albeit against the Force who are wooden spoon contenders along with the Reds). He may prove to be the x-factor that the Wallabies need come September.
Sure, his defence isn’t test rugby worthy but over the past few seasons, he’s looked to improve on it and with a player who, on skills and vision, would be up there with the best in the world, there’ll always be a trade-off of sorts.
Few like to admit but Cooper’s raw ability and his rugby brain makes him a huge asset to Australian rugby and the way he works on his flaws is just an indication of the kind of talent that lies within; his goal-kicking was sub-standard when he arrived on the scene however with a lot of work, he’s turned his goal-kicking into one of the best parts of his game (included a huge change of technique which is a reason for the strange shoulder and chest position when he kicks).
To include Cooper in the Wallaby squad for the upcoming Southern Hemisphere International season as well as the 2015 RWC squad is a risk and many teams like New Zealand and France have fallen by the wayside due to the risks they took (Carlos Spencer in the All Blacks in 2003 and Thomas Castaignede in the 2000s).
However, at a time when Australian rugby is desperately lacking that real x-factor to consistently trouble teams like the All Blacks, one feels they need to take a risk to turn it all around. In his first world cup, he was mouthy and he chose to do his talking in the media instead of on the pitch (and eventually ended up paying dearly). However, it’s 4 years later, the professional sportsman’s life has set in and he seems a completely different player.
The Australian public may have not yet forgiven Cooper for his poor performances and his misdemeanours of yesteryear – but if he leads the Wallabies to World Cup glory in a few months time, one thinks that they just might.