Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper gets chance to push World Cup claims

The burning frustration of losing his last three Tests against the All Blacks was the fuel that has driven Adam Ashley-Cooper to return to Test rugby after more than two years in the wilderness.

Veteran Wallabies winger Adam Ashley-Cooper at training in Padua. Picture: Rugby Australia

Update: The burning frustration of losing his last three Tests against the All Blacks was the fuel that has driven Adam Ashley-Cooper to return to Test rugby after more than two years in the wilderness.

Winger Ashley-Cooper starts for the Wallabies against Italy at Stadio Euganeo this weekend, having not worn national colours since the 2016 Bledisloe Cup series, after which many assumed he’d retired from Test football.

“I left Australia on not so great terms; losing the last three games, it was the Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks and the two Bledisloes in 2016,” Ashley-Cooper said.

“That feeling of unfulfillment and being quite dissatisfied in your own performance was always hovering over me, I was questioning whether or not I’d ever get the opportunity again.

Veteran Wallabies winger Adam Ashley-Cooper at training in Padua. Picture: Rugby Australia

“That on top of watching the guys over the last couple of years as an outsider looking in, 100 per cent I’m very grateful to be wearing the green and gold again.

Ashley-Cooper never officially retired from Test footy, and earlier this year he made up his mind to go for a fourth World Cup.

The 34-year-old will become the third most capped Wallaby of all time in his 117th Test.

Adam Ashley-Cooper last played for the Wallabies in 2016. Picture: Getty Images

“I set myself a really clear goal before the Top League season this year in Japan, before we returned to our preseason there in early April,” he said.

“I really wanted to give the best shot I could. So with that it motivated me daily in Japan to be the best I could be every day, and in turn allowed me to play some really good rugby in the Top League.

“Maybe [Wallabies coach Michael Cheika] caught wind of that and saw the potential of my contribution here among the team.

“He never really gave me a hint, I was the one who engaged Cheik around my ambition of representing my country in a World Cup next year and potentially winning a Rugby World Cup.

“I guess he was quite surprised with where my head was at and my mindset. Off the back of that the thought has grown with him, and he got me to come on tour to see where I was physically and mentally.

Jordan Petaia was named to make his debut on the other wing but was a late withdrawal. Picture: Rugby Australia

“Off the back of the selection this weekend, evidently he’s been happy with what I’ve been able to contribute and how I’m performing in daily training.”

Ashley-Cooper says his performances and communication as an experienced campaigner would be the keys to making next year’s 31-man World Cup squad among a hot field of outside back candidates.

“It’s performance-based first and foremost, I’ve got to play really good rugby,” he said.

“I’m a senior player and I’m here to play a role, how I can do that is through my communication, on the weekend there’s a lot of young guys getting their opportunities so hopefully I can help direct them with my voice, make them very comfortable out there because I’ve been there and done it before.”

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