Firstly, I’m a great reader of this site but not a regular contributor however I feel I need some kind of therapy after last weekends events so here goes. I think enough has been said about the overall performance of our team by people far more qualified than me to comment but while reading the articles generated by these events I have come to the opinion that Quade Cooper is a good rugby player, not the great rugby player we keep hearing/reading about.
For the record I have nothing personal against him and I have never meet the guy but I feel he has been elevated into a position that is simple beyond his calling. He is a great S15 player, evident from the Reds successful season in 2011 and I’m sure he will be a star in the NRL when he decides to make the switch but as for a truly great rugby player I feel he is lacking in so many ways.
In Bob Dwyer’s View today he made reference to the lack of quality and honesty in the attack from our back line and after watching the game again last night and looking at Coopers contribution I can only agree. He is too unpredictable even for his own team mates and his ability to think on his feet and under pressure is wanting, particularly when the pressure is being applied the way it was by a very competent northern hemisphere team that played with passion, commitment and nothing to loose. Was it a great game to watch - no, did it get the results - yes for the Irish.
Many have highlighted his lack of defensive skills and inconsistency from one test to another and the fact that he is being shielded from defensive duties by moving to the wing when we are defending simply highlights these deficiencies in his game. Simply put, we are only playing with 14 when we are defending because Cooper is unreliable in a defensive role. While I didn’t see all of the Reds games this year I believe this tactic was used as well. As a comparison I believe Beale has worked on improving on his perceived weaknesses during the season but Cooper has been left to his own devises, perhaps believing he has nothing to improve on.
How he behaves off field, who he chooses to keep company with and whether he really believes he is the bad boy of the RWC is not for me to comment on. But as a keen & passionate Wallabies supporter and an old pig who still enjoys strapping on the old boots for a run each weekend I feel he is letting the team down.
Would we be better off with someone else wearing the 10 jersey right now?
PS. Please be gentle this is my first time.
For the record I have nothing personal against him and I have never meet the guy but I feel he has been elevated into a position that is simple beyond his calling. He is a great S15 player, evident from the Reds successful season in 2011 and I’m sure he will be a star in the NRL when he decides to make the switch but as for a truly great rugby player I feel he is lacking in so many ways.
In Bob Dwyer’s View today he made reference to the lack of quality and honesty in the attack from our back line and after watching the game again last night and looking at Coopers contribution I can only agree. He is too unpredictable even for his own team mates and his ability to think on his feet and under pressure is wanting, particularly when the pressure is being applied the way it was by a very competent northern hemisphere team that played with passion, commitment and nothing to loose. Was it a great game to watch - no, did it get the results - yes for the Irish.
Many have highlighted his lack of defensive skills and inconsistency from one test to another and the fact that he is being shielded from defensive duties by moving to the wing when we are defending simply highlights these deficiencies in his game. Simply put, we are only playing with 14 when we are defending because Cooper is unreliable in a defensive role. While I didn’t see all of the Reds games this year I believe this tactic was used as well. As a comparison I believe Beale has worked on improving on his perceived weaknesses during the season but Cooper has been left to his own devises, perhaps believing he has nothing to improve on.
How he behaves off field, who he chooses to keep company with and whether he really believes he is the bad boy of the RWC is not for me to comment on. But as a keen & passionate Wallabies supporter and an old pig who still enjoys strapping on the old boots for a run each weekend I feel he is letting the team down.
Would we be better off with someone else wearing the 10 jersey right now?
PS. Please be gentle this is my first time.
