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'I'm not at all worried': Cooper 'enjoying the journey' after Achilles injury

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Wallabies flyhalf Quade Cooper has opened up about his “incredible and smooth journey” following a season-ending Achilles injury during last year’s Rugby Championship.

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Test veteran Cooper had a tough season in 2022.

The star pivot was ruled out of the Wallabies’ first test of the year against England after he injured his calf in the warm-up.

After a fairly lengthy stint on the sidelines, which ruled him out of the entire series against England, Cooper picked up another injury later in the year against Argentina.

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Playing in the No. 10 jersey against Los Pumas in Mendoza, Cooper ruptured his Achilles during the 41-26 win.

Quade Cooper’s international season was over before it really began.

The 34-year-old took no part in the rest of the international campaign, but did join the squad in the Gold Coast this week for a four-day training camp.

Cooper, who was one of five players to start at first-five for the Wallabies last year, was included in Dave Rennie’s 44-player squad which was named last week.

Reflecting on the injury process, Cooper was adamant that he has “no doubts about coming back to rugby.”

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“I have no doubts about coming back to rugby but for me, the process of this whole journey has been more about discipline and what I choose to work on as a person which is everyday things,” Cooper told reporters.

“The better and more disciplined around how I act, the better the outcome will be with this injury.

“I’m not at all worried about coming back and how well I’ll play, I’m just enjoying the journey so far.”

The Wallabies had a disastrous campaign last year, where they failed to win as many games as they probably deserved.

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While they fought valiantly week after week, their pool discipline cost them in some tight test matches – with the Wallabies left to rue missed opportunities against some of the world’s best teams.

Australia avoided their worst season since 1958 with a incredible comeback win over Wales in Cardiff, which was spearheaded by two-try hero Mark Nawaqanitawase.

Rising star Ben Donaldson started that test match at the Principality Stadium, as he came the fifth player to run out in the golden No. 10 jersey.

Rugby may be a results driven industry, but isn’t all doom and gloom just yet.

As Cooper discussed, “there were some great things to come out of” Australia’s five-match spring tour.

“Having some young guys who haven’t had a lot of opportunities to get their chance to show what they have, a lot of them stepped up and in preparation for a World Cup, you want to see as many guys as you can play,” he added.

“The goal is to win those games but the only way you get that experience is by allowing people the opportunity. There were some highs and lows but that’s footy.

“My focus is always on the process and how I can get myself better and give myself the best opportunity whenever I’m in the team to do the best I can.

“As we continue to build, we hope this team and being in camp now around the group, we just want to get better as a group and peak at the right time.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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