‘Just shows the person he is’: Wallaby reveals ‘message’ from dropped star Quade Cooper

Playmaker Quade Cooper was a shock omission from the Wallabies’ 33-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, with rising star Carter Gordon picked as the sole flyhalf.

Cooper underperformed in four Test matches under Eddie Jones this year, including two appearances off the bench, but was still expected to be on the plane to France.

But when the Wallabies fly out of Sydney International Airport on Thursday afternoon, Cooper won’t be on the plane. The Test veteran didn’t even make the Australian A squad to play Portugal.

Quade Cooper’s illustrious career in Wallaby gold appears to be all but over, while young flyhalf Carter Gordon has only just begun his journey in the Test arena.

But there’s no bad blood between the two – far from it, in fact. Gordon revealed earlier this week that Cooper, 35, had “sent me a really nice message when the squad came out.”

“Obviously I have learned a lot from Quade and he has been massive for my growth in the last few months,” Gordon said.

“We are still super close and we still talk a little bit. He sent me a really nice message when the squad came out and said he is here for me, and is going to continue to help me as much as he can.

“So that just shows the person he is, and how good a bloke he is.”

With no Cooper in the squad, coach Eddie Jones decided not to bring another flyhalf into the squad. Gordon was selected as the only No. 10, while ‘utility’ Ben Donaldson will play a backup role.

Donaldson has shown plenty of promise at Super Rugby Pacific level with the Waratahs – although has signed for the Force from next season – but has yet to take the field under coach Jones.

With only two Test appearances to his name, including just a single start against Wales in Cardiff last year, Donaldson is somewhat of an unknown ahead of the World Cup.

As for Gordon, who made his Test debut against South Africa in Pretoria last month, the exciting talent has only started two matches. There’s a lot of pressure and expectation following Gordon to France.

“Being the only 10 on the sheet doesn’t mean too much to me, it is more about getting better and still earning my spot,” Gordon added.

“If you go out there and play some bad rugby, you’re going to be giving it up.

“I am just making sure I am growing as a player every day and doing everything I can to keep the jersey.”