Wallaby Quade Cooper to return to Queensland Reds on three-year deal
JIM TUCKER|
Source: The Courier-Mail
IT’S official. Quade Cooper is finally to be unveiled as the prized signing to revive the pulse of the Queensland Reds for the next three seasons.
The announcement, to be made by Wednesday, will be a huge confidence boost for a club which has been a non-factor in Super Rugby for three seasons.
It will also correct the curious case of flyhalf Cooper playing for the Wallabies with an Australian Rugby Union contract but no publicly proclaimed Super Rugby ties.
In truth, the fine print to the Cooper-for-Queensland deal was ticked even before the encouraging resilience he showed in his Test return in Wellington on Saturday night.
Starved of good ball by a supreme All Blacks side, playmaker Cooper had limited chances to shine in attack and made several committed saves when scrambling in defence.
Quade Cooper in action for the Wallabies against the All Blacks on Saturday night.Quade Cooper in action for the Wallabies against the All Blacks on Saturday night. Source: AAP
The best sign was he kept persevering and his touch at the 78-minute mark to put Israel Folau into the clear was the slickest inside pass thrown by a Wallaby this season.
He was still being treated for a knock to his right knee early in the second half when an All Blacks raid swept his way.
He limped into position and put the pressure on Kiwi centre Anton Lienert-Brown to shut down the danger.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said he saw enough to press ahead with Cooper and Bernard Foley, at inside centre, as his midfield generals with Matt Giteau and Matt Toomua sidelined.
“The two playmakers were trying to work off bits and pieces when they did get the ball so they didn’t really have too much of a chance,” Cheika said.
Quade Cooper in action for the Reds in 2011.Quade Cooper in action for the Reds in 2011. Source: Getty Images
“We’ll be persevering to build the combination up and work with that.”
After the frailties exposed at the lineout and in defence by England and the All Blacks, the Wallabies desperately need a victory over South Africa at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday week.
The knock to Cooper’s knee was more a short-lived impact problem than a sinister twist so he will be there for the homecoming cheers.
For the Reds, they can start plotting towards a much-improved season with Cooper, Stephen Moore, George Smith, Leroy Houston and likely Brisbane Broncos capture Lachlan Maranta as new recruits.
While Cooper was at French club Toulon, young No.10s Jake McIntyre and Duncan Paia’aua were only able to steer the Reds to three wins in 15 games this season.
Cooper’s strong wish to reactivate his 107-game Reds career was unofficially sealed but for the detail, when Nick Stiles was named Queensland coach on July 26.
“I’m always going to be wanting to play here,” Cooper had said before the tick was given to Stiles, a coach he rates.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/su...803abbd8fc8664
Told ya Jono ;)
