Quade Cooper named in the 39-man Wallabies' squad - Rugby News Update
The Queensland Reds' fly-half, Quade Cooper, has been named in Australia’s squad for the upcoming tests against Scotland and Wales.
The fly-half is included in the 39-man squad for the tests even though he just played twice for the Queensland Reds after he came back from a knee replacement surgery during last year’s World Cup in New Zealand.
The successful playmaker comes in place of the first choice, Kurtley Beale, who might not be able to play against Scotland and Wales due to injury concerns.
Melbourne Rebels’ Beale was identified as a possible solution for the fly-half position, but was in doubt after he suffered an injury to his shoulder during a match.
The 24-year-old Cooper was also forecasted to be held back until the Rugby Championship later in the year, as he had only played twice in seven months since his comeback to the Reds.
After his astonishing performances in last year’s world cup, it was being considered by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) to bring back the fly-half, but after playing against Brumbies for eighty minutes last weekend and also
a half game at the previous weekend, the selectors were convinced that Cooper could fill the vacant fly-half position in the upcoming tests.
The Western Force flanker, David Pocock, will captain the Wallabies for their first international game of the season, and Will Genia will be second-in-command.
The Test selectors have chosen a total of 15 uncapped players in the squad, who are looking to make their international debuts.
Wallabies' boss, Robbie Deans, acknowledged Australian Super rugby franchises for their support in releasing the players, but then admitted that on such short notice it would be difficult to select players against the Scots.
"The co-operation of the franchises has been considerable and we appreciate that," Deans said.
"We've obviously sought to have as little disruption to their campaigns as is possible, but the solution provided by utilising the training day off does at least allow us to get the players started - both with organisational logistics and training background
- as we will have to hit the ground running once the final group gathers," Dean said.
"We can't finalise a side for that match until all of the games are played, and we are in a position to assess all of the players," he further added.
The 39-man squad:
Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Michael Harris, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, Digby Ioane, Sekope Kepu,
Salesi Ma'afu, Pat McCabe, Ben McCalman, Jesse Mogg, Stephen Moore, Luke Morahan, Cadeyrn Neville, Dan Palmer, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota Nau, Hugh Pyle, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Dominic Shipperley, Rob Simmons, James Slipper,
Sitaleki Timani, Joseph Tomane, Cooper Vuna, Nic White
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