Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Eales kicked enough crucial goals over enough tests to demonstrate his reliability. His low total wasn't a result of his kicking, but his early retirement.
Cooper - Good or Great rugby player - discuss.
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Eales kicked enough crucial goals over enough tests to demonstrate his reliability. His low total wasn't a result of his kicking, but his early retirement.
Reddy!
Bob Davidson (42)
Comparing amateur era to professional era
V
voodoo
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I think Cooper's an exceptional attacking player, there's no one better in world rugby at find gaps and putting other people in gaps BUT he needs to learn how to manage a game and know when to play the percentages, play for possession when needed and not always to the 50/50 flick pass etc.
The jury is still out whether he can mature and adjust his game accordingly. He is still young and these things come with experience.
I think for this World Cup Deans has hooked onto the Reds bandwagon and playing as many of them as possible and in the same positions. I agree Barnes or even Guitea are wiser heads and more stable a would like to see either in the 12 jersey to off the occaisional counter option to Cooper
The jury is still out whether he can mature and adjust his game accordingly. He is still young and these things come with experience.
I think for this World Cup Deans has hooked onto the Reds bandwagon and playing as many of them as possible and in the same positions. I agree Barnes or even Guitea are wiser heads and more stable a would like to see either in the 12 jersey to off the occaisional counter option to Cooper
J
Jumpers
Guest
Mr. Cooper has not committed to long term contract with ARU. Wat does that tell you? His weakness in defence has been shown up despite the cover from his co-players and can be explosive when required. Unfortunately hes also inconsistent on form abit like the French whom you never know which side is going to turn up. And hes not a great player-not even close!
da_grubster
Ted Fahey (11)
Jonah played in both era's and, if you beleive the urban myth, was the main reason the game went pro in the first place.
Cullen was another who was a great by 23
Athilnaur
Arch Winning (36)
Cullen and Lomu were great players for their physical prowess. I personally think Cooper has a claim as a great player in that sense, he has a freakish ability in attack, his running game and passing is staggering, and like Cullen he reads the game superbly.
10 demands more though. I'd also suggest he doesn't have to be Carter. The Wallabies are a team that likes to have a bit of flaky brilliance, a Campese if you will. And clearly Campese was great.
10 demands more though. I'd also suggest he doesn't have to be Carter. The Wallabies are a team that likes to have a bit of flaky brilliance, a Campese if you will. And clearly Campese was great.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Campese is overrated: if you totted it up he let in as many as he scored. So in that sense comparing QC (Quade Cooper) to DC is apt.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Oh, here we go...
Victorian Reds Fan
Bob Loudon (25)
I watched the NZ vs France 1999 semi-final yesterday and was reminded of how good these guys were.
FrankLind
Colin Windon (37)
Cooper is a 10.
To be considered "great", he should be compared to other 10s.
IMO - great 10s are Ella, Lynagh, Wilkinson?, Carter, and Larkham.
I don't feel, whichever way you cut, is anywhere near any of these players - yet
How will he improve his defence?
I can't see it happening.
To be considered "great", he should be compared to other 10s.
IMO - great 10s are Ella, Lynagh, Wilkinson?, Carter, and Larkham.
I don't feel, whichever way you cut, is anywhere near any of these players - yet
How will he improve his defence?
I can't see it happening.
As you're a Kiwi, I'm surprised you haven't named Fox and Mehrtens.
I think they definitely belong in the company of those names there. Particularly Grant Fox.
I think they definitely belong in the company of those names there. Particularly Grant Fox.
Athilnaur
Arch Winning (36)
A number of those 10s were superb kickers and fine generals, but limited at best ball in hand.
Personally I saw Carlos as a great footballer.
But it's the 10s job to be the game controller, so Cooper has a way to go. Re defence Quade isn't an incompetent tackler at all. But he has been given a licence to make himself available instead and that's what he does.
I don't agree with it, and I think it restricts selections and impedes Beale, but it has obvious merits.
Personally I saw Carlos as a great footballer.
But it's the 10s job to be the game controller, so Cooper has a way to go. Re defence Quade isn't an incompetent tackler at all. But he has been given a licence to make himself available instead and that's what he does.
I don't agree with it, and I think it restricts selections and impedes Beale, but it has obvious merits.
At the risk of being branded mean, I would not have Wilkinson in that group. He is a very good player, no doubt. Tackles very well, obviously kicks well and is a points machine. But apart from a period around 2001-3 he did not do enough with ball in hand or setting the backs free, compared to others. At many times, I'd have been very happy to have him on my team. But I think Carter, Larkham and Lynagh were / are far better all rounders. Fox too.
FrankLind
Colin Windon (37)
I am thinking the more "complete" 1st fives than just mainly kickers (Fox) or runners (Spencer). That is why I put a question mark next to Wilkinson. I think Fox had an armchair ride behind mainly dominant AB packs - couldn't tackle and rarely ran. Superb tactician and even better goal-kicker though. Mehrtens, I guess he could be. Not sure.
Showing my Kiwi bias perhaps - but I think Carter is the best first-five of all time. (though some would argue a failure to win a World Cup (yet) disqualifies him).
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I think he is the best ever and the failure to win a RWC is irrelevant to his stature.
There may be people who would argue that Barry John & Phill Bennett (Wales) was better but I did not see any of John or enough of Bennett. Carter's performance last night showed how many dimensions there are to his game.
I don't think many people will try arguing against that. Carter is the complete rugby player and is amongst the best players ever, not just the best 10.
FrankLind
Colin Windon (37)
Warning cheerleader mode -
That's not his fault though is it.
Tell me Carter's weaknesses. I don't see any.
He performs the running, tackling, kicking, option-taking, (and now even turnovers) to a very high level.
Bowside
Peter Johnson (47)
That's why I said he was a great player.
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