1
Queensland Reds fans turn on team after loss to former flyhalf Quade Cooper
By Online Editors
When crowd favourite Quade Cooper went south to join the Melbourne Rebels after being unwanted by Reds head coach Brad Thorn, they risked a number of fans going with him.
Delivering a Super Rugby title to the hapless Reds in 2011 was always going to provide some level of emotional attachment to their favourite star, so when he returned last night to beat his old team there no shortage of Reds fans cheering him on.
Some describe feeling elated at seeing Cooper beat his old team, while some claimed to still be 'ashamed' at how the organisation treated one of the most decorated players.
Cooper turned up in the 32-13 thrashing of the young Reds side, adding two more try assists to his season-leading tally of eight. The Rebels moved to reclaim top spot in the Australian conference after the Waratahs lost to the Sunwolves on Friday night.
"There was a few people that sort of feel that I must have left them," Cooper told Fox Sports in his post-match interview.
"But it wasn’t the boys that didn’t want me. The boys were the ones that we were playing against and I love those boys."
Cooper said that he still supports the Reds whenever they aren't playing the Rebels and that seeing the side struggle makes him sad.
"For me, I don’t want to see them go down, I want to win when we play against them but I’m always supporting them. I want this franchise to do well.
"It’s a little bit sad to see when they’re struggling a little bit, on and off the field."
Brad Thorn offered short praise to the pair of former Reds' halves following the loss.
“He’s on the winning side and he contributed to a really good win for them,” Thorn said.
“So well done to him and Will.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
5
Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
Go to comments