Eddie Jones believes Quade Cooper can still produce his best rugby – just as All Blacks legend Dan Carter did at the 2015 World Cup – in another firm indicator of where the veteran sits in the Australian pecking order ahead of a unique opportunity to impress his new Wallabies coach at Twickenham next week.
Cooper’s road to a third World Cup – he was not picked for the 2019 tournament under Michael Cheika – will gather pace next Sunday when he lines up for the Barbarians alongside Wallabies teammate Samu Kerevi in an invitational match against a World XV coached by former All Blacks boss Steve Hansen.
Jones flew to London on Saturday for a second stint in charge of the Barbarians – his first was in 2019 – and he has set tongues wagging by selecting Cooper and Kerevi in his squad.
The pair are likely to be named at No.10 and No.12 respectively in what could be a Wallabies dress rehearsal ahead of Australia’s first Test with Jones at the helm against South Africa in Pretoria on July 8.
Cooper (Achilles tendon) and Kerevi (ACL) have both made comebacks recently after long injury lay-offs and will continue their pushes for Wallabies selection in the exhibition match in London.
Jones has met both players this year but is eager to get hands on with them. Both did not travel back to Australia for last month’s Wallabies camp in Queensland.
Jones would not be drawn on whether the pair were his first-choice No.10 and No.12 but did say it was a great opportunity to see them play together.
“It’s more to see what they’ve got,” Jones said. “You put those two together [for the Barbarians match], it’s a no-brainer.
Samu Kerevi and Quade Cooper. Credit: Getty
“They’ll be playing as we see fit. I’ll have to have a look at them at the start of the week and see what they’re ready to do.
“It’s a chance for them to play at a high level. We pick the first [Wallabies] squad just before the 25th of June. So any chat before that [around selection] is premature.”
Earlier this year, Jones hinted that Cooper was in Australia’s plans for the World Cup, which begins in September.
Jones said Cooper’s longevity in the game and experience could be invaluable for the Wallabies.
He even cited Carter’s excellent form at the 2015 tournament, where New Zealand beat Australia in the final, as evidence of an older playmaker still performing at the top level.
“Dan Carter was a beautiful example of it,” Jones said. “He was at his best when he was 35 at the 2015 World Cup. Quade has got that opportunity.
“Quade’s gone through a remarkable career. When I first coached him straight out of school [at the Reds], he was an elusive, ball-running, cheeky No.10 that had all the skills. Watching him play for Australia over the last couple of seasons, he’s matured into a very good decision-maker and is much more physical in the tackle. He’s got a very good short kicking game and has that wisdom of having played for a number of years now – it’s 16 years at the top level.”
Then there is Kerevi, who had a TBC next to his name when Jones named his first squad for the camp in April. The 41-Test centre has told Jones he wants to be part of the Wallabies plans and will return to Australia next month.
Eddie Jones during last month’s Wallabies camp. Credit: Getty
“Kerevi in 2021, when he came into [the Wallabies] after his sevens campaign, was probably one of the most dominant players in world rugby,” Jones said. “He was powerful, he could get through tackles, he had great workrate. He aspires to get back to that form.”
Meanwhile, Jones is eager to see how Marika Koroibete fares for a World XV that also features former Wallaby Israel Folau.
Koroibete, the reigning John Eales Medallist, is also very much in Australia’s World Cup picture.
“I want to put him in a box for this game, so he doesn’t get too much to do,” Jones said. “He’s been in Japan playing really well. He’s in good spirits. I caught up with him a couple of weeks ago. At his best, he’s a world-class winger.
“I really haven’t thought about [Folau]. He’s not in our selection realm. As far as the game goes, I don’t have any tactical ploys for the opposition, apart from Koroibete. I want Quade to make sure he puts Koroibete in a box, which will be part of the challenge and to see how he handles it, so we can use that as a selection tool.”
Five months since being sacked as England coach, Jones said hadn’t thought too much about his return to Twickenham.
“I don’t really care mate; that’s all done and dusted,” Jones said.
“It’s just a good chance to practise coaching for a week. Coaching the Barbarians is a great honour. It’s one of the institutes of the game.”
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