Quade Cooper backs up from throwing haymakers to returning as the Reds playmaker

HOURS after his flame intensified as a boxer, Quade Cooper was back in rugby's red corner going on the attack.

JUST hours after a 15-punch onslaught in 20 seconds intensified his flame as a boxer, Quade Cooper was back in rugby's red corner yesterday going on the attack.

Bill Pulver has got it wrong. The Wallabies flyhalf should be allowed to keep boxing every off-season because it makes him a better and more disciplined footballer.

Ten hours after his furious flurry floored Newcastle martial arts exponent Warren Tresidder, Cooper was at Ballymore for yesterday's 7.30am Reds team meeting.

He was fully involved in the high-paced 60-minute attack session which followed, which is at the heart of where the Reds must find their biggest improvement this season.

After the heady 51-try rampage to the 2011 Super Rugby title, the Queenslanders crossed the stripe just 31 times last year. As pointedly, they went tryless in five games.

"Quade has always put rugby No.1. He hasn't missed a session because of his boxing and was fully into it at the team session,'' Reds coach Richard Graham said.

News_Rich_Media: Quade Cooper remains undefeated inside the ring after scoring a TKO win over Warren Tresidder.

"Players put in 18 hours a week on the field, in strength and conditioning and in meetings but it's those who are disciplined beyond that who are the highest achievers.

"Boxing has added more discipline to Quade's habits and he sees the benefits. It's a win for us.''

Graham confirmed the Wallabies star would be front and centre in the Reds' opening trial against the champion Chiefs in Toowoomba tomorrow week.

Seeing Cooper wide-eyed and at the edge of his comfort zone in the ring was mesmerising because he can play rugby almost blindfolded.

His patience before unleashing a left-right combination to flatten Tresidder had a rugby lesson too.

"I was most proud of not sprinting and trying to do everything in 30 seconds,'' said Cooper, who was sometimes guilty of just that as a teenage footy prodigy.

News_Image_File: Cooper lands a jab on martial arts veteran Warren Tressidder at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

"Just staying composed and sticking to the game plan was really pleasing because I didn't start to freak out when I was hit once or twice.

"It was a great experience. I don't think I needed anything to whet the appetite more (for boxing). My passion is to continue.

"Those discussions (with ARU boss Pulver) are ahead but my focus for the rest of the year now is doing all I can for the Reds and, hopefully, the Wallabies.''

Do not expect the ring announcer's nickname attempt with "the quintessential Quade 'Super' Cooper'' to stick or be copied on to a Reds jersey.

"I'm not in a position to be able to get a boxing nickname after only two fights and my shoulders aren't that wide to wear those words," Cooper said.

Plain Quade Cooper reigniting the Reds' attack will do just fine.