Cooper limps from disappointing campaign
Gordon Bray, AAP
October 23, 2011, 12:31 pm 11 Commentstweet0EmailPrint
Quade Cooper's World Cup campaign unravelled into a modern day sporting tragedy. To see him finally struck down of his own volition against Wales, attempting another trademark act of deception, was a cruel twist of fate.
In the words of All Black great Stu Wilson, the gifted fly-half had dared to touch New Zealand's 'family jewel'. The running battle in Tri Nations with Richie McCaw had backfired so spectacularly that even some Aussie fans booed him.
At least the crowd at Eden Park on Friday night showed compassion when he was ultimately assisted from the field, bewildered and broken.
What a shame this 'public enemy number one' rubbish - nurtured with such relish by the Kiwi media - was not nipped in the bud. Cooper has to live with that one but I have no doubt his time over here could have been very different.
Even when he teed off above the cliff face in the semi-final against the All Blacks, he missed one final shot at redemption. Had his late grandfather Nesbit still been alive, I'm certain he would have endorsed the following act of defiance.
Imagine the global uproar if Quade,supported by teammates, had performed a Ka Mate Haka challenge of his own, straight after the All Blacks' Haka? I discussed this question with former Maori MP (Moana Pasifika) Tuariki Delamere and his reaction was overwhelming.
"With Quade's Maori heritage, he would have spooked the All Blacks, diffused their psychological advantage, won over the Kiwi crowd and taken the weight of the world off his own shoulders." (And not kicked out on the full?)
Ironically, Australia's last outing in New Zealand only highlighted the folly of not picking Berrick Barnes in the games that counted. Where was Berrick when we needed him? On the bench!
Barnes' command performance against Wales not only made a mockery of his continued omission behind the gallant but makeshift centre Pat McCabe, it also emphasised that he must now be the first Wallaby picked.
Forget the claim that the pressure was off and Wales are not the All Blacks, this was a torrid clash between two of the tournament heavyweights. In that context, Barnes displayed his wonderful all round skill-set and exceptional rugby nous.
When operating at inside-centre in the opening quarter, he made decisions previously left to Quade Cooper. He shared the playmaker role and Cooper blossomed to the point that he was threatening to blow the Welsh defence apart.
After Cooper departed, Barnes became the general at fly-half and steadied his team around the field, keeping Wales under constant pressure while also performing his defensive duties superbly. Was there ever any doubt on that one?
And what a difference a scrum makes. The backs relished the quality front foot ball against a weakened Welsh pack.
French coach Mark Lievremont got it absolutely right when he said, "no scrum, no win." It is an issue Australia needs to revisit. The Wallaby scrum failed when it counted against Ireland and New Zealand.
Australia's best young tight-head scrummager by a country mile is
Dan Palmer from the Brumbies. When raising his credentials with David Nucifora I was respectfully dismissed on the grounds of work rate and mobility.
Let us hope there is a change of heart. Palmer is precisely the kind of specialist scrum option the Wallabies need to re-focus on for the end of year UK tour. The coaching staff is paid to get the other parts of his game up to speed.
In hindsight, the Wallaby World Cup campaign was de-railed by Ireland in the pool phase which put them into a premature match-up with the top two ranked teams in world rugby for the knockout stage.
Ironically, Aussie coaches had a big say in those two setbacks against Ireland and New Zealand.
Irish defence coach Les Kiss masterminded the 'hold-up' tackling on Pat McCabe which forced unexpected turnovers and so effectively served to destabilise attacking momentum.
The contribution of All Blacks' skill coach Mick Byrne was also immense in the semi-final. The sensational kick reception technique of man-of-the-match Cory Jane had the unmistakable stamp of the former champion AFL ruckman.
Therein lies an abject lesson for the Wallabies whose collective attempts at fielding the recent spate of high balls remain flawed.
Is it time to bring in an Aussie Rules specialist? Jane's immaculate timing of his jump and an ability to lead with knees tucked under his chest made him bullet proof and untouchable. Easy when you know how.
http://au.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/wo...922/cooper-limps-from-disappointing-campaign/