NZ keeps an eye on one that got away
NZ keeps an eye on one that got away
Bret Harris From: The Australian September 09, 2010 12:00AM
ALL BLACKS assistant coach Wayne Smith has revealed New Zealand attempted to poach Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper after he starred with the Australian Schoolboys a few years ago.
Cooper was born in Tokoroa, a timber town in the Waikato region of New Zealand, but moved to Brisbane as a teenager.
Along with Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale, Cooper was a star of the Australian Schoolboys team of 2005-06, attracting the attention of New Zealand officials.
Asked whether the All Blacks had designs on Cooper, Smith said: "Yep. He came from just down the road from me actually. I should have lassoed him when he was a 10-year-old.
"James O'Connor (Wallabies winger) is another Kiwi born. We were pretty interested in them when they were schoolboys."
Smith will certainly rue the one that got away if Cooper steers the Wallabies to victory against the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday night.
Even though he has played 14 Tests since making his debut against Italy in 2008, Cooper is yet to play against the All Blacks.
Suspended for a dangerous tackle, he missed Australia's losses to the All Blacks in Melbourne and Christchurch this season.
Smith said Cooper changes the way the Wallabies play with his clever ball distribution.
"He changes the picture of their attack, there is no doubt about that," Smith said. "He is a threat himself as well as being very clever with his handling.
"Everyone has noted a slight difference to the way they are playing the game in the last couple of Test matches and that's going to be a challenge for our defensive system.
"They were very dangerous in South Africa, no doubt about that.
"Matt Giteau is world-class. I put him right up there as being one of the top (players) in the world. Adam Ashley-Cooper is also up there. You've got James O'Connor and I guess Peter Hynes or Lachie Turner will come in on the other wing. And Kurtley Beale at fullback.
"It releases their talent and their threats. You have to retain faith in your system. He is going to break you at some point. You have to minimise the damage."
While Cooper has not played against the All Blacks, he has experienced mixed fortunes while playing for Queensland against New Zealand's Super rugby teams.
"There were a couple of games like the Hurricanes where (Wallabies halfback) Will Genia and Cooper were absolutely outstanding in the first half, but the Hurricanes shut them down in the second half," Smith said.
"They have dangerous attackers right across the field. So have we. Potentially, it's going to be a cracking Test match."
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said they would look to minimise Cooper's influence by reducing his time and space, but O'Connor said the playmaker would relish the challenge.
"The more pressure you put on him, the more tricky passes he can get away and when you rush him he's got that footwork and acceleration to get around blokes," O'Connor said.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225916103783
