Australian Rugby star Quade Cooper looks set to return to the Wallabies team to face New Zealand’s All Blacks for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash in Auckland.
rugbyweek
The Wallabies left Cooper out of the opening Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup fixture and lost 27-19 to the All Blacks.
The Wallabies not only lost the match but have also been hit with a number of injuries which has forced coach Robbie Deans to consider bringing Cooper back.
“We certainly need to readjust our thinking on our selection,” assistant coach Tony McGahan told the Press Association after a number of key players under performed.
“Quade was very close to selection last week and he’s certainly been discussed so far this week.”
The All Blacks are said to be expecting Cooper to return and have been training with reserve fly-half Aaron Cruden imitating some of Cooper’s moves.
The Wallabies have not beaten the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland in 26 years and only last year lost to New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final when Cooper was injured and has not played for the Wallabies since.
“We’re certainly aware that that sort of record, that sort of history, is in the background,” McGahan said.
“It’s really about having really good clarity on your issues that you need to address this week and focusing on this as a stand-off match, because it is.”
“If we get the result we come back to Brisbane for an opportunity to win the trophy.”