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Quade Cooper reveals double setback after 'amazing' Barbarians week

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Barbarians)

Wallabies out-half Quade Cooper suffered a double sting in the tail following his recent week-long stay in London with the Barbarians. The 35-year-old had hooked up with the world’s most famous invitational team following the completion of his fourth season in Japan with the Kintetsu Liners and he proceeded to play an integral part in the Baa-Baas thrilling 48-42 win over Steve Hansen’s World XV.

However, he has now tweeted about the double setback he suffered and is wondering if the old adage about bad luck arriving in threes will apply to him. “Interesting few days after what was an amazing week with the Barbarians,” he wrote.

“After having £1,000 stolen from my hotel room and my airline losing my luggage, it’s safe to say I’m wondering what is going to happen next…”

Having been picked by Eddie Jones to play for the Barbarians in a short-lived 10/12 combination with Samu Kerevi who exited injured after just 19 minutes, Cooper is expected to be named in the Wallabies squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship which starts with a July 9 match away to the Springboks in Pretoria.

It was May 7 when Cooper made his long-awaited return to playing in Japan following last year’s achilles tendon rupture. At the time he tweeted: “Sitting in the locker room for my first game reflecting on the journey so far.

“Grateful for every opportunity this game has provided along the way and more importantly the lessons we learn throughout the journey. One thing I have learned is that success is what you work toward every day.

"It was a great feeling being back out there. Was nice to be part of the win and continue the journey another week. Felt good physically and clocked my third fastest accelerations in the four years I have been at this club which is a good sign and also my second-best top speed."