Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has some tough decisions to make when deciding on his test fly-half.
Matt Giteau is the incumbent, Quade Cooper the heir apparent and Berrick Barnes when fit, the team vice-captain.
A personalised showreel of Super 14 highlights for each individual would probably have Cooper winning the contest by a country mile but…
On the downside Cooper’s defensive qualities, although improving markedly, are a target for opposition teams. Barnes and Giteau are more reliable defenders, Barnes in particular, a classic old school tackler.
This time last year Giteau and Barnes were earmarked by Deans as Australia’s long term 10/12 pairing but injury to Barnes and the rapid assent of Cooper have overturned that premise.
The dynamic combination of Cooper and Will Genia has been the talking point of this year’s Super 14 tournament. The Qld no.10 has been electrifying and just got better as the season progressed.
Cooper was helped by the positive mindset of coach Ewen McKenzie who, in essence, encouraged his team to take risks and use the ball productively rather than aimlessly kick downfield to ease pressure.
Barnes and Giteau have both had form and confidence issues this season but importantly both have played some of their best football at the business end of the season.
Giteau is a world class player but blind Freddy knows he is not a genuine no.10. He relishes the extra time at 12 and although picked at fly-half against Wales last November, it was Cooper who really directed traffic as a first receiver.
Cooper and Barnes played alongside each other last year for the Reds but didn’t gell, probably because Quade needs an unrestricted licence to organize his backline, something he has done so superbly this season.
So which way does Deans go? For me, it is Cooper at 10 and Giteau holding onto 12 but only in the knowledge that he no longer holds a mortgage on his test place.
Cooper’s attacking skill set at fly-half is on another level and he is arguably the hottest property in union or league at the moment.
Barnes is good enough to play at outside-centre because of his sheer all round quality and ability to set up his wingers but that is a long shot so he finishes on the bench.
A bolder option at 13 is to select Waratahs’ youngster Rob Horne who came of age last Friday against the All Blacks’ centre pairing of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith with a brilliant performance in attack and defence.
Despite the Waratahs’ excellent effort to make the semi-finals, the real momentum and consistent enterprise came from the previously unsung Reds. With Cooper and Genia calling the shots, they beat tall poppies the Crusaders, Bulls and Stormers and were very unlucky against the Tahs.
For some to suggest that the Reds’ attacking brand of rugby doesn’t win the big games is plainly wrong. Injuries brought them unstuck, not the style of play. For that reason, their two shining lights, messrs Genia and Cooper should be retained for the Fiji test in Canberra on June 5.
reds se 9,10 met matewisie op 12 en barnes op die bank
have to go with cooper after the super 14
COOPER, no question. He was the best FH (for me) this S14. Deans would be crazy not to select him. Gits should play inside centre.
@ puma amd MR MORTLOCK at 13 can be deadley
Wie was die ou wat so lank saam met Gregan skakelpaar was ? Cooper is baie soos daai ou, kan nie sy naam onthou nie, maar baie onvoorspelbaar.
4 – Smallies72, Yes that Aussie team going to be damn good this year. Mortlock getting on a bit but he is still fine for now.
I think the ABs even though they have not done well in the S14 will be tougher. Put a few from each side into a AB team and they will be looking a very good side.
heelagter: Tahs
Mitchell
Digby Ione
Mattie
Lucky Turner
Cooper
Genia
@bdb sie selle jafel wat die dropgoal in die 99wc semi geskop het so ‘n lelike outjie met sulke kierie bene
Cheers everyone. Going to have a early night. Sat up till 12pm last night working and had a hectic day.
GO BULLSSSSSSSS for Saturday.
Go Stormres for Saturday.
Hope we get a all saffa final in Orlando.
8: wat is die langbeen spinnekop sprinkaan se naam tog ? Waar is Pietapedia wanneer jy hom nodig het ?
Daai was sy enigste skepskop in sy hele lewe, die blikskottel !
9: lekker slaap Puma, onthou om jou blou trui saterdag aan te trek.
cheers puma
Stephan Larkham !
@bdb jou google is vinniger as my google master google night
Larham het daardie dag nie geskep skop nie, hy het die bal glo ge-knock, toe uit woede wou hy die grond skop, en tref toe per ongeluk die bal op die regte tyd en plek … die res is history.
@bdb dis hoe ek dit ook onthou hy het die bal oor gepoks
nou ja ek waai nou maar die goverment wil my net5,2%verhoging gee so ek moet maar sny op my internet kostes 🙂 cheers almal
17: nag, james smallies !
Nou dat almal wil gaan slaap kom ek na vore
Barnes and Gitts. Cooper is still young, and i would give him another year to sort out his defensive problems. In test rugby the opposition defence is better than S14, so his attacking game would not be so good anyway.
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