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‘He’s very upset’: Dropped Wallaby Quade Cooper rejects Eddie Jones’ calls
By Finn Morton
Test veteran Quade Cooper has refused to answer phone calls from Eddie Jones, with the Wallabies coach revealing the shocking news from Sydney International Airport on Thursday.
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Following rumours and speculation, the Wallabies officially announced their 33-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup last week.
According to multiple reports in Australia, playmaker Quade Cooper was set to miss out on the prestigious squad along with former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper. This was later confirmed.
Cooper, 35, started the first two Test matches in the Wallabies’ new era under coach Jones, but was relegated to the bench for both Bledisloe Cup Tests.
But after making a costly error in the dying minutes against the All Blacks in Dunedin, Cooper’s time in Wallaby gold has seemingly come to an end.
The Wallabies have decided to go in another direction for the World Cup, but any attempts to call Cooper have been met with silence.
“I’ve tried to and we can’t get hold of him,” Jones told reporters on Thursday. “I think he’s very upset mate.”
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Rising star Carter Gordon was picked as the only flyhalf in the touring squad, while utility Ben Donaldson is expected to play a backup role off the bench.
But both players are still very new to Test rugby. Gordon is the more experienced of the duo, and the young pivot only entered the fray of international rugby for the first time last month.
With just four Test appearances to his name, which includes a couple of starts in the No. 10 jersey, Gordon will play a leading role for the Wallabies in the absence of Cooper.
“I don’t know why you’re going back to that. That’s probably reflective of Australian rugby,” Jones added.
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“We’ve got to move on to a World Cup with a great young squad and you’re still talking about players we haven’t selected.
“We’ve tried to ring him, that’s all I can do.”
The Wallabies take on international rugby powerhouse France at Stade de France later this month. It’s their last Test before their World Cup opener against Georgia in early September.
On the upside, he has promoted Carter Gordon. Gordon is an electric talent who is defensively quite sound. I think Jones should have kept Cooper but really you cannot analyse that decision without considering the options he has gone for. Donaldson is the back up and he is no Cooper but he does offer another option at 15 off the bench. Cooper as a bench option is quite limited.
Great call from Eddie. Despite his bravado he knows winning this RWC is a longshot so has ejected the deadweight for building towards 2027. Cooper didn't even make Aussie A which probably means Foley & O'Connor will likely be injury cover for Gordon.
Now the Wallabies know how they're gonna be treated when they're past their prime ... compare that to how Schalk Brits and Deon Fourie are being treated, now you know why the Boks love their current coaching staff.
Jones got this call quite badly wrong, but his approach is still better than the Nienaber approach of just never dropping anyone.
Deon Fourie probably loves Nienaber. Joseph Dweba probably doesn't, and the next springboks coach definitely won't be happy about taking over a squad that has almost no young talent.
Thank you Australia for seldom inflicting the skill and ability of Quade Cooper on England I've seldom seen a more talented player.
Is that you SBW?
He is past his coaching career, there is a time and age for everything. But if weaken Aus, great...
Look at the State Jones left England in. Players to scared to play rugby just follow his plan. Coaches leaving because of the way he treated them. Dropping players because they dare say something he didn't like. A coach has to listen and act at the same time. Not just act .
anything the twit Jones does to weaken the Aussies is fine by me.