'I'm not at all worried': Cooper 'enjoying the journey' after Achilles injury
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.
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.
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.”
“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.
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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No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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