The inside story of Wallaby star Quade Cooper's incredible viral flick passes

Quade Cooper isn't just throwing incredible flick passes - he's teaching Broncos firebrand Tevita Pangai Junior how to be a better athlete.

Quade Cooper train at Red Hill. Annette Dew

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Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jr has credited former Wallabies star Quade Cooper for keeping him fit during the coronavirus saga as the NRL prepares for its May 28 relaunch.

Self-isolation has stopped Brisbane players training in groups but it hasn't broken the bond between Cooper and Pangai Jr, who gathered at Red Hill on Friday for a speed session to keep the Broncos hulk sharp.

The pair's training sessions have become global news.

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🤷🏽‍♂️ level up.. #qcchallenge pic.twitter.com/cfP09OMi6n

— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) April 10, 2020

On Tuesday, Cooper posted vision on social media of his freakish, behind-the-back, NFL-style quarterback pass.

It hit a flying Pangai Jr smack in the midsection from 20 metres away.

The vision has attracted a staggering 1.1 million views in three days, including rave reviews from NFL experts.

Pangai Jr first began training with Cooper 18 months ago and is in awe of the natural skill, athleticism and dedication of the 70-Test Wallabies veteran.

Cooper and Pangai Junior have been training together. Picture by Annette Dew.

"We were just mucking around after our fitness session the other day, we like to throw the NFL ball around and have a bit of fun," Pangai Jr said.

"After our first video, Quade was copping it in the comments for not throwing it as well, but his last video shut them all up.

"When I was running to catch it, I was shocked at how easily he did it and how perfect the spin on the ball was. Quade has done that sort of pass in games and this one was perfect.

"You just want to keep watching it over and over it's so good."

Earlier in his career, Pangai Jr had all sorts of problems with his hamstrings.

Cooper's passes have gone viral. Picture by the Annette Dew.

Since linking with Cooper, the Broncos powerhouse has barely had a niggle.

"I had trouble with my hammies in the past but I've learnt so much from Quade as an athlete," he said.

"He is really disciplined with stretching and diet and the importance of looking after your body.

"I've been doing three running sessions a week with Quade.

“We do agility one day, then high speed stuff followed by a longer run. I struggle more with cardio than keeping my strength so it's been good training for my aerobic base.

"I've tried to make the most of training alone during this time. It's been good not to have to rely on the trainers and testing my own discipline. It's been a blessing working with Quade."

Pangai Jr has three games left to serve of his round-one suspension, but is relishing the NRL's return on May 28.

"It's great we will be back training on May 4, it's only three weeks away," he said. "It's great to have some clarity around what we have to do as players and where we are heading.

"I've missed being with the team every day … we're all pretty keen to get back playing again."