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Quade Cooper stats prove he isn't getting any slower with age

Quade Cooper of the Wallabies receives attention from the trainer during the warm-up before game one of the international test match series between the Australian Wallabies and England at Optus Stadium on July 02, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Wallabies veteran Quade Cooper proved he hasn’t lost any pace in his first match back since rupturing his Achilles tendon on international duty last August.

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Cooper, 35, played a key role in Kintetsu’s dominant 36-14 victory over previously-unbeaten Urayasu D-Rocks in the first leg of their Replacement Battle.

Kintetsu, who had only won one game this season prior to the match, had conceded a whopping 854 points in 16 games. However, Cooper’s presence on the field provided a much-needed boost to the team’s morale and by halftime Kintetsu were leading 19-7, and Urayasu had already received two yellow cards.

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Despite being withdrawn at halftime to manage his workload, Cooper’s impact on the game was undeniable.

His playmaking was the key difference between the two sides. Kintetsu coach Yoshitake Mizuma’s decision to manipulate the rules by playing Cooper for a minute in the last game of the regular season to ensure his eligibility for the relegation series seems to have paid off, as the team’s performance was significantly boosted by the Kiwi-born talent who Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones looks set to call on later this year.

https://twitter.com/QuadeCooper/status/165510116608957235

Cooper himself took to social media to express his delight at being back in action. He said, “It was a great feeling being back out there. Was nice to be part of the win and continue the journey another week. Felt good physically and clocked my 3rd fastest accelerations in the 4 years I’ve been at this club which is a good sign and also my 2nd best top speed.

“Sitting in the locker room for my first game reflecting on the journey so far. Grateful for every opportunity this game has provided along the way and more important the lessons we learn throughout the journey. One thing I’ve learned is that success is what you work toward every day.”

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3 Comments
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Brian 563 days ago

Cooper! What is HE doing in the Skippy' Team? For his own good he should butt out NOW! He originally came to Orstraya from the 3rd Div Side from Tokoroa NZ and he soon found out he wasn't wanted being unsuitable for Top Rugby he couldn't get a game! OVER TO Aussie and he was picked in the TOP team but was proved to be hopeless! A very ordinary player 3rd Division at best! So 35 b years old and still a hopeless case!they pick him at first five where he has played before now many times and proved nothing! Good on Him but I for one have grave fears for Aussie at this Big One methinks Eddie the mouth has overstepped here!

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JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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