Quade Cooper's defence this year

[Scotty]

I agree that wholesale changes are never the way to go. Just select ones here and there. I would only advocate the following to come into the 22 at this stage:

Palmer
Douglas
Cooper
One of Tomane/JOC (James O'Connor)/Mitchell (fitness dependant)

 

[Bon]

I think we are yet to see the best of Quade Cooper. Not all Kiwis dislike him, even if he is from Tokoroa. He is an exciting player to watch, and frankly I would sooner have had him on our side of the deeetch.

 

[No4918]

Cruden has had the best 10 of all time above him to learn from at that level. Further evidence of how much someone like this above you or in a coaching role can be seen by Larkhams improving on Lilo's game. Cooper is better than both but hasn't had the guiding hand of others. He is finally at a stage where his past experience should be enough but i'd expect he'd be a better player know if he'd played behind or been coached by a couple of the modern stars of the position. The wallabies need a real backs coach. Could do a lot worse than bringing Bernie on board to help Deans out.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I can't see how Deans can deny an in form Cooper either. So Barnes at 12? Maybe, I am sure Deans will entertain it, but it is a quite different game plan to two crash ball centres.

I reckon he'll entertain it, because he's done it before. In 2010 we played far and away our best backline footy with an axis of Genia/Cooper/Barnes. I'd love nothing more than to see a return to it. Imagine Beale or Ioane hitting the line with the service of those guys. The mouth waters at the prospect.

Add McCabe in at 13 and all of a sudden we've got passing *and* defence in the midfield.

 

[Train Without a Station]

But we are ignoring the form Australian inside centre, Tom Carter...

 

[Slim 293]

I reckon he'll entertain it, because he's done it before. In 2010 we played far and away our best backline footy with an axis of Genia/Cooper/Barnes. I'd love nothing more than to see a return to it. Imagine Beale or Ioane hitting the line with the service of those guys. The mouth waters at the prospect.

Add McCabe in at 13 and all of a sudden we've got passing *and* defence in the midfield.

One game?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I had thought it was more than that Slim. Could be wrong, it's happened plenty of times before.

 

[Slim 293]

Giteau actually played 12 for most of that year.......

 

[Braveheart81]

Does anyone know when an initial Wallabies squad is selcted and training starts?

I'm assuming it will be pretty soon after the last round and will either be everyone except the Brumbies or everyone except the Brumbies and Reds.

I've said previously that I think the Reds will have to go close to the final for Cooper to get enough game time to push to replace Barnes but it could also work in his favour to not make the finals and be part of the squad straight away to get more time with the team.

 

[Scoey]

They can pretty much get the National squad together next week. It's pretty much Tahs players anyway. They'll need Monday off and a sleep in on Tues but after that they should be right. In the likelihood that the Reds don't progress any further we will have a full squad save for our no 12. But I'm sure we can get someone else to train there for a week or three.

 

[maxdacat]

As bad as his defence is purported to be (with some justification) his fend is going pretty well atm so it seems his opponents are not tackling him that effectively and might be going too high.

 

[Swat]

Giteau actually played 12 for most of that year...

Just on that point, JOC (James O'Connor) is taller and bigger/heavier than gits... why won't dingo put him at 12!

 

[JJJ]

We just about need QC (Quade Cooper) and TPN to swap tackle techniques. TPN is actually big enough to execute what QC (Quade Cooper) is trying to pull off (ball-and-all/strip-the-ball) and wouldn't concuss himself as much, and QC (Quade Cooper) might start consistently stopping players. Plus I think his skull is a bit thicker than TPN's and better able to take the knocks.

He goes low and gets cited for spear-tackling, goes high and gets cited for too high. Someone needs to hit the reset button and start over.

 

[Schadenfreude]

I'm just going to offer Lucas in comparison, who while defending in Quades absence last night stood directly behind the goal post so he couldn't defend anything.

Beau was completely lost defending as a back as well.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

quade's defenc ehas definitely improved i think he looks more hungry for it. Also i feel that he is starting to show some real maturity at 10 which he has needed.

 

[Slim 293]

I would've thought Quade was too young for the Karate Kid?

But I'd advise not to sweep the leg....... and to aim lower.......