Wallabies star Quade Cooper played a central role in a brilliant try for Australia during Saturday’s Test match against Japan in Oita.
The maverick fly-half made two brilliant passes in the build up to a wonderful team try by the visitors at Showa Denko Dome including a ridiculous backdoor missile.
Cooper started things off with a lovey floated pass which missed out two players to find Jordan Petia on the right wing before centre Len Ikitau and scrum half Nic White combined on the near side to make a break deep into the Japan half.
Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou recycled the ball quickly to find Cooper, who launched a 10-metre no-look pass to the far touchline to set up flanker Rob Leota for the try.
This flowing move from the Wallabies saw eight passes in total and helped the visitors to a 23-32 win to kickstart their Spring tour.
Prior to Saturday’s Test match Cooper remained unsure whether it would be his last one of 2021 with discussions between Rugby Australia and Japanese club Kintetsu Liners ongoing.
The 33-year-old joined the Japanese club in 2019 and was allowed to represent the Wallabies in The Rugby Championship during the off season, however the same arrangement may not work for Australia’s upcoming tour of the UK.
The Wallabies are due to play Scotland, England and Wales in the coming weeks and the squad is already weakened by the loss of Marika Koroibete while Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon find themselves in a similar position to Cooper with their respective clubs in Japan.
“Right now I’m not 100% sure. There’s conversations still happening behind the scenes between the Wallabies and Kintetsu,” said Cooper. “Our clubs are our employers so I’ve got nothing but respect for them and they’ve been very supportive of this opportunity, to come into the set-up here at the Wallabies during my holiday. So, whenever I’m due back, I’ll follow whatever’s asked of me.”
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