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Quade Cooper needs more percentage play

By Buford Balony

Although it contradicts his natural instincts and he openly acknowledges finding it dull, Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper understands that there are moments when the team requires him to engage in percentage rugby.

In Saturday’s Italy Test in Florence, Cooper played in a style reminiscent of how Adam Gilchrist approached cricket during the third Test of the 2007 Ashes series at the WACA, where he scored a century off just 57 balls.

Cooper displayed exceptional form, effortlessly exposing vulnerabilities in the Italian defence, and for a brief moment, it appeared as though the Wallabies were on track to achieve a monumental score.

“When we’re playing that sort of footy, it seems like perfect football,” Cooper reflected.

However, this performance was not sustainable, and it faded away.

Having established a pace exceeding a point a minute in the opening eight minutes, the Wallabies suffered an unnecessary penalty for interference while they were launching a full-blown attack.

Italian winger Mirco Bergamasco converted the kick, shattering the team’s momentum. Despite their attempts—albeit over-eagerly on the part of both Cooper and the Wallabies—they could not rekindle their game and succumbed to careless and detrimental mistakes.

It was only after reevaluating their approach during half-time and acknowledging the necessity of recognizing their limitations that they managed to regain a semblance of their game, albeit at a reduced intensity.

“Just like in Test cricket,” Cooper remarked. “You can’t expect a Test match to unfold like a Twenty20 game, and in rugby, you shouldn’t anticipate a Test match to mirror Super 14 or sevens every time. Certain segments of the game will resemble that, showcasing flair and clever passes, but there will be times when it’s essential to play it safe. The key is to find that balance.”

The 22-year-old, who considers himself a “slogger,” admits that achieving this balance is challenging for him.

“This entire year has been an extensive learning experience for me. Recognizing when to hold back has been crucial in the Italian match because there was so much space, and I found myself eager to run everything,” he explained.

“However, when we opted to restrain ourselves and not engage as intensely, it paid off for us. I always prefer to be aggressive and on the attack, so having to hold back feels difficult and a bit tedious. Yet, to become a well-rounded player, it’s essential to master all aspects, and that’s what I aspire to accomplish.”

Criticism seems to follow Cooper like a shadow. Just after demonstrating his capability to mend the defensive issues highlighted by England the prior week—while achieving a man-of-the-match performance without missing a tackle against Italy—he faced backlash for reportedly dulling the attacking edge of centre Berrick Barnes, similar to the critique he received regarding Matt Giteau.

Undoubtedly, the Wallabies are feeling the absence of his almost instinctual synergy with the injured Digby Ioane. However, Cooper showcased against Italy that he and fullback Kurtley Beale are in the process of developing an almost captivating connection.

Repeatedly, they linked flawlessly, generating chances seemingly from thin air.

“It’s just starting to happen that way,” Cooper admitted. “The combinations are evolving. The more we play together, the better we understand each other. He’s someone I truly enjoy playing alongside. Our instincts align from the outset.”

At times, watching them evokes a sense reminiscent of the reactivation of two-thirds of the Ella brothers. Yet again, there were distinct periods for Mark Ella and Paul McLean.

The pivotal question remains: can Cooper tap into the best attributes of both Ella’s brilliance and McLean’s control?

Buford Balony says: Isn’t every game of union boring? Berrick Barnes kicking for goal from halfway proves my point.

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