'He should be shaking Brad Thorn's hand' - How the All Blacks legend helped revive Quade Cooper's career
Win or lose on Saturday night, Melbourne playmaker Quade Cooper should shake Reds Super Rugby coach Brad Thorn's hand for giving him a real crack at this year's Rugby World Cup, according to former Wallabies fullback Greg Martin.
Cooper returns to Brisbane for his first Super Rugby match against the Reds since his acrimonious departure.
The 30-year-old joined the Rebels this year after being sidelined for an entire season by Thorn, who said the 118-game veteran no longer fitted with their culture.
Martin said Cooper would be welcomed back by the Reds faithful, who would applaud how he used the relegation to club rugby last year to make himself a better player and a better person.
And he had Thorn to thank for that.
"He made a real turnaround last year going back to club footy," Martin told AAP.
"I'm of the belief he should be shaking Brad Thorn's hand after the game and going 'Thanks - you reminded me about humility and to be grateful' because last year changed him as a person.
"Last year made him realise what the game's about and it changed him and it's also made him a better footballer."
"I've named him in my Wallabies team - we can't keep doing the same things otherwise we're not going to win any games at the World Cup and we're not going to beat New Zealand," Martin said.
"We've got to introduce something new and I reckon he's the form five-eighth."
While Queensland skipper Samu Kerevi said on Friday there were no personal battles, Martin predicted Cooper would be targeted with Kerevi leading the charge.
"Yes it's a test for Quade but he's more closely monitored than most other players and he doesn't care about pressure."
The Reds made a late change with Chris Feauai-Sautia replaced in the midfield by Duncan Paua'aia, with Jack Hardy coming on to the bench.
AAP
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They lost the game period move on
Go to commentsI'm happy for the people of SA to get a second WC. And I mean that. I was very disappointed with this man's “stand on the hand” incident with Josh Van Der Flyer (Ireland). Ireland's downfall in the last WC was they did not rotate their first 15 as the head coach probably should have. That said, I'm happy for SA and genuinely hope it lifts the mood in their country. Ireland did beat them in the first match of the tournament. And before the trolls start trolling ….. please don't bother. Etzbeth said recently that the Irish players said after the match “see you in the final”…..this was actually wishing the SA team the best of luck in the rest, the Irish team were not dismissing the AB’s. This is what Etzbeth was implying. But he was wrong. I no longer live in Ireland. But I hope to see them lift that cup before I pass. Anyway, congratulations SA. 👍
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