Cooper to withdraw from Wallabies tour as more forced changes loom
Christy Doran from Fox Sports
October 27th, 2021 7:59 pm
In yet another major blow to the Wallabies spring tour hopes, Quade Cooper is expected to be the latest of the Japanese trio to withdraw from their tour.
Its understood Cooper informed teammates he would not be making the trip to the United Kingdom, where the Wallabies are due to play Scotland, England and Wales.
Cooper was left second-guessing himself over the decision to withdraw after thoroughly enjoying his return to the Wallabies set-up.
But, as previously reported, the 33-year-old wants to nurture his body through to the 2023 World Cup.
After being stunningly brought back from the cold by Rennie in late July, Cooper suddenly became the Wallabies saviour after their Bledisloe bloodbath and led the Wallabies to five straight wins.
His withdrawal is a major blow to Dave Rennies hopes of continuing their winning streak and comes a day after it was confirmed Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon had withdrawn.
It means James OConnor will return to the No.10 jersey for the first time this year.
Yet, the decision to withdraw, which has not been made official, could in fact be a blessing in disguise for the Wallabies and their depth, with Rennie previously being reluctant to change a winning side.
Already the Wallabies will be forced into one change, with fullback Reece Hodge set to miss the spring tour due to a pectoral injury.
Andrew Kellaway is likely to start in the No.15 jersey in a back three combination alongside Jordan Petaia and Tom Wright.
While Hunter Paisami struggled to make a real impact in his return to the starting side against Japan for the first time since the second heavy Bledisloe defeat against New Zealand at Eden Park, he will be helped by playing inside James OConnor.
Kurtley Beale is expected to have his 92 Test career reignited over the coming days, with the Paris-based utility back set to join camp following this weekends French Top 14.
He will join fellow French-based Wallabies stars Rory Arnold, Will Skelton and Tolu Latu in camp ahead of the Murrayfield Test.
Given he will be the only other player who has any experience playing flyhalf, Beale shapes as a utility back replacement.
At this point, the Wallabies have resisted sending an SOS to Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio.
October 27th, 2021 7:59 pm
In yet another major blow to the Wallabies spring tour hopes, Quade Cooper is expected to be the latest of the Japanese trio to withdraw from their tour.
Its understood Cooper informed teammates he would not be making the trip to the United Kingdom, where the Wallabies are due to play Scotland, England and Wales.
Cooper was left second-guessing himself over the decision to withdraw after thoroughly enjoying his return to the Wallabies set-up.
But, as previously reported, the 33-year-old wants to nurture his body through to the 2023 World Cup.
After being stunningly brought back from the cold by Rennie in late July, Cooper suddenly became the Wallabies saviour after their Bledisloe bloodbath and led the Wallabies to five straight wins.
His withdrawal is a major blow to Dave Rennies hopes of continuing their winning streak and comes a day after it was confirmed Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon had withdrawn.
It means James OConnor will return to the No.10 jersey for the first time this year.
Yet, the decision to withdraw, which has not been made official, could in fact be a blessing in disguise for the Wallabies and their depth, with Rennie previously being reluctant to change a winning side.
Already the Wallabies will be forced into one change, with fullback Reece Hodge set to miss the spring tour due to a pectoral injury.
Andrew Kellaway is likely to start in the No.15 jersey in a back three combination alongside Jordan Petaia and Tom Wright.
While Hunter Paisami struggled to make a real impact in his return to the starting side against Japan for the first time since the second heavy Bledisloe defeat against New Zealand at Eden Park, he will be helped by playing inside James OConnor.
Kurtley Beale is expected to have his 92 Test career reignited over the coming days, with the Paris-based utility back set to join camp following this weekends French Top 14.
He will join fellow French-based Wallabies stars Rory Arnold, Will Skelton and Tolu Latu in camp ahead of the Murrayfield Test.
Given he will be the only other player who has any experience playing flyhalf, Beale shapes as a utility back replacement.
At this point, the Wallabies have resisted sending an SOS to Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio.