'He's the ultimate professional' - New Rebels captain heaps praise on Quade Cooper
Melbourne Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty says he's been impressed by new recruit Quade Cooper since his arrival at the club.
Unwanted by Queensland, Cooper joined the Rebels for 2019 after playing club rugby in 2018 because Reds coach Brad Thorn said he didn't fit the team's culture.
But Haylett-Petty, who has replaced Adam Coleman as Rebels captain, says Cooper is having a great impact on and off the field.
"I think the big thing for me is whether he's on the field or off he's such a good influence on the group, especially the younger guys," Haylett-Petty told AAP.
"He's the ultimate professional and sets a really good example for the boys and his rugby IQ is amazing - like no-one I've ever played with or met - so just that knowledge he can impart to the group is amazing."
Cooper will re-ignite his halves partnership with Will Genia when the Rebels open their season against the Brumbies in Canberra next Friday.
Cooper and Genia played an integral role in the Reds’ run to the 2011 Super Rugby title when the pair played in Queensland.
"I'm probably expecting a bit of Quade magic," Haylett-Petty said.
"I'm really excited about seeing Will and Quade, their combination back together. We know how dangerous they were for the Reds."
Haylett-Petty made 11 appearances for the Rebels last season after battling concussion but said he would be ready for round one.
"Obviously it was a disappointing Super Rugby season last year but I managed to get fit and play all of the Wallabies games so I had a good six or seven months and I'm really looking forward to this season," he added.
He said there was high expectation on the team to make the finals for the first time in club history after coming painstakingly close in 2018.
"We started quite well, surprisingly considering how little time we had to come together last year but we were very disappointed not to play in finals," Haylett-Petty said.
"I think all the changes that we made off the field, this is the best placed the club's ever been going into a season which is really exciting."
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Can we also show some love for Tane Edmed’s fantastic draw and pass? Put his body on the line and committed the defender before letting go of that pass. Flawless skill.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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