It is getting ridiculous when people are making the claim that Cooper is playing a more mature/reserved game ideal for test football everytime the Reds backline can't score a point. The Force vs Reds and Cheetahs vs Reds weren't examples of solid low risk backline play by the Reds. They were just bad performances.
If you watch the force, brumbies and blues, he doesnt try to do anything fancy, he just plugs away, doesnt make any mistakes, kicks well and passes beautifully. Each of those teams were brutal in defence and the reds crossed the line in each of those games a number of times. To claim they were bad performances is like claiming Berrick Barnes and James O'Connor (at flyhalf) have never played a good game of football in their life. Quade has done exactly what Robbie wanted, he toned it down and against those defensive efforts it is extremely critical to say he had a bad game when he was simply playing cool, calm and collected.
The Cheetahs game was a different story. The Scoreboard did not represent the efforts the team (not just Quade) put in around the park. Specifically though, if you want to call his kick for Rod Davies, his numerous tackles in the frontline, his unmatchable front foot passing game and consistent challenge of the defensive line all aspects of a 'substandard match' then one has to question whether you watched that game closelt or judged it solely off the points. The reds played them off the park but didn't convert it to points and this was indeed their own fault (along with some questionable TMO calls).
There's no way Deans would be letting any personal differences get in the way of picking the side that he most thinks will keep him in his job. Pure self-interest would get Cooper selected, not left out.
Hahaha come on mate, he's done it in the past and he'd do it again. Giteau could have played 9,10,12 at the 2011 WC and regardless of his questionable form, he was an experienced back and utility player that would have been perfect for the campaign. Him and Deans have a niggle so its game over.
He is clearly a bloke that has established views of players (i.e. PAT MCCABE) and this has a very strong influence on his selections.
I think it is indicative of his coaching ability if he doesn't think Quade Cooper is the man to win the Lions series when numerous past Wallaby players (some even present) and coaches disagree. These aren't just a bunch of nutcase QLDers. As Bob Dwyer said - "it is the job of the coach to bring out the best in players". We know what Quade is capable of, McKenzie is able to prove this on a weekly basis. The fact of the matter is that Deans is unable to produce the same results and yes, I agree, "chooses the side that he thinks will win the series". The issue is, it's not the BEST side we could have...
