Quade Cooper gets his shot at Super Rugby redemption
After an agonising 17 month wait, Quade Cooper will rewarded for his perseverance when he runs onto the field with the Rebels to tackle the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night.
Quade Cooper’s chance for Super Rugby penance is finally here.
It’s been an agonising 17 month wait for the former Wallaby but he’ll strap on the boots in a strong Melbourne Rebels line-up to tackle the Brumbies in Canberra.
There were plenty of doubters who thought Cooper might never make it back after Brad Thorn told him he wasn’t needed at the Reds last season but he’s been rewarded for his perseverance.
He’ll start at five-eighth alongside his old mate Will Genia, reuniting the pairing that won the title for the Reds in 2011, in a strong Rebels side which includes new recruits Isi Naisarani, Robbie Abel, Matt Gibbon and Brad Wilkin but will be missing injured Wallabies Adam Coleman and Reece Hodge.
“We do have some new personnel, which is great for us because we work very hard at our recruitment,” Rebels coach Dave Wessels said.
“This time last year we had about 3,000 new faces in the group so to just have a handful now seems much more comfortable and manageable and all the guys have fitted in well.”
The Brumbies beat the Rebels in a trial match last month but both clubs were juggling around different combinations so Wessels said there was nothing to be read from that result other than the fact winning in the nation’s capital will be tough.
“We train to play, we don’t train to train so it’s exciting to get it underway but we obviously have a massive challenge because Canberra’s not an easy place to play,” he said.
“At this time of year, we’re all a little bit nervous because everyone holds everything back in the trials so you don’t get a great picture during the trials.”
Copper’s not the only former Red looking to atone after being banished from north of the border.
James Slipper will make his debut for the Brumbies after he was told to go elsewhere when he twice tested positive for cocaine after batting injuries and depression.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar gave the former Wallabies strongman a second chance and has picked him to start ahead of Test loose-head Scott Sio as he slowly makes his way back.
"I'd spoken to Scotty about it two weeks ago that was my thinking and he understands," McKellar said. "To go into the first game of the year, without any trial footy under his belt and start the game, would be a bit of risk."
David Pocock was given the green light to start after injuring himself in the national squad training camp last month while Pete Samu will start on the bench after joining the Brumbies from the Crusaders.
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