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Cheika throws down the gauntlet to Cooper for Barbarians clash
By Peter Thompson
Michael Cheika has challenged Quade Cooper to "show his wares" when he captains the Barbarians against Australia and prove he deserves a Test recall.
Cooper has not played for his country since facing Italy in June, but Cheika said the fly-half could quite easily have been lining up for the Wallabies rather than against them at Allianz Stadium on October 28.
Cheika will name his squad to take on Japan, Wales, England and Scotland a day after the clash with the Barbarians and the Wallabies head coach wants to see Cooper stake his claim for a spot on the tour.
"In all honesty, he probably could have been playing for us very easily here," Cheika said.
"We could have maybe said come and play with us but I think it is actually a better opportunity for him to show his wares against us.
"I know how he will want to play the game and that's going to be a challenge for us.
"What we have been watching in the NRC, he has been guiding the team around very nicely. He will be asked to do a different job for the Barbarians, we understand that.
"But we will looking at just his general approach to the game in terms of selection."
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Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
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