As Quade Cooper prepares for the most challenging match of his rugby career on Saturday night, he hopes he has already faced the consequences of his cheap shot on Richie McCaw in Hong Kong.
This dynamic Wallabies playmaker is set to make his debut Test appearance on New Zealand soil as Australia strives to break a 25-year curse at Eden Park.
Cooper, who hails from Waikato, was absent during last year’s 20-10 defeat in Christchurch due to suspension and spent the entire 80 minutes on the bench in 2009 when the Wallabies faced a 33-6 loss in Wellington.
However, he made a significant contribution during the Hong Kong match late last year, where James O’Connor scored the winning try in the final minute and then successfully converted from the sideline for a 26-24 victory.
The emotional relief of that first win, coupled with being targeted with extra physicality by McCaw in the rucks, led to Cooper reacting by pushing the New Zealand captain’s head behind the goal-line following O’Connor’s try.
McCaw and his teammates have not forgotten Cooper’s disrespectful act, nor have they forgiven the 23-year-old.
During the Super Rugby season, the seasoned flanker seized his opportunity to retaliate against Cooper, but Cooper wishes to put this issue to rest.
“He has greeted me a few times this year in Super 15, so there’s no need for a formal introduction,” he stated.
“It’s all part of the game, and with 14 other players to consider on the field, I won’t focus solely on one individual.”
In the Bledisloe pressure-cooker, Cooper vowed to maintain his usual aggressive, attack-minded playing style.
“I’m sticking to the game philosophy I enjoy, and I’m not going to alter that just because we’re up against the All Blacks at Eden Park,” he explained.
“I’ll head out there with the same mindset, supported by a strong group of teammates.”
by Buford Balony
