Saia Faingaa says he would not trade Quade Cooper for anyone

WALLABIES hooker Saia Faingaa says his Reds teammates are better players for Quade Cooper's leadership.

WALLABIES hooker Saia Faingaa says his Reds teammates are better players for Quade Cooper's leadership.

Backing the Reds' flyhalf was a spirited reaction to national coach Robbie Deans' assertion that Cooper was partly to blame for centre Ben Tapuai's lukewarm form.

Faingaa said he would not trade Cooper for anyone.

"For me, Quade's the ultimate team man," he said.

"We've got faith in him.

"He's a leader in this team and he stood up (against the Cheetahs)."

Speaking ahead of the team's South African road trip, Cooper said his understanding with Tapuai was equally important to Queensland's success.

"Taps is a quality player. Just like myself and Will (Genia), we have to work at little partnerships throughout the team," he said.

"It's not my position to decide someone's not getting enough ball."

Faingaa said the elation of his selection in the Wallabies squad for the series against the British and Irish Lions had given way to anxiety over whether coach Ewen McKenzie would stick with him on Saturday against the Stormers in Cape Town.

McKenzie is yet to decide how he will replace injured winger Digby Ioane (knee), with Jono Lance set to face a fitness test that will shed some light on his options at wing and fullback