Calls for Cooper's return to the Wallabies intensify and for good reason

The Rebels recorded their second win from their first two games of the season on Friday, helped by some moments of magic from Quade Cooper.

He continued his impressive return to Super Rugby after a year in exile last season, as they withheld an unbeaten Highlanders side, who came agonisingly close to snatching the victory at the end.

It was the Rebels’ first win against a New Zealand side since 2015, and although the Highlanders were missing a number of All Blacks, Cooper’s side were still impressive nonetheless.

The mercurial playmaker’s deft hands put Jack Maddocks in for a try in the first half, and he orchestrated Billy Meakes’ try early in the second half with a grubber kick. In only two games this season, he has shown that he has not lost his creative influence, and his control over the game looks better than ever. Of course, Cooper still has weaknesses, particularly his defence, but he hasn’t seemed to have lost anything in attack.

In light of his performance, many fans took to Twitter to praise his display:

Some fans may say that it is premature, but there is a growing number of fans on Twitter in favour of Cooper earning a recall to the Wallabies squad ahead of the World Cup.

Michael Cheika has not ruled out selecting him, and although there is competition for the jersey from Bernard Foley, Christian Lealiifano and Matt Toomua, Cooper is winning over more and more fans.

While Foley is the incumbent 10 for the Wallabies, some fans are arguing that he cannot do what Cooper can on the field at times. Then again, Cooper has never been as dependable as Foley, and the debate of their clash of styles looks like it will re-emerge this season.

This is what the fans have been saying:

This campaign for Cooper’s return to the Wallabies will only increase if he, and the Rebels, perform like they have been doing in their first two rounds of the season.