He had an absolute shocker in the quarter-final against South Africa and was rightfully blasted for his shambolic display. This was followed by another average performance against New Zealand in the semi-final. His kick to start the game went out on the full, placing the Wallabies under enormous pressure in the opening 20 minutes. This set the tone for the whole game, Australia unable to break New Zealand's strange hold.
Despite Wallabies' captain James Horwill's reassurances that the pressure wasn't getting to Cooper in the lead up to the game, you only needed to take a look at him during the national anthem to know that he was under the pump. He looked like a man in deep thought, eyes closed, head raised, almost as if he were praying for a miracle.
Cooper's manager Khoder Nasser has defended the Wallabies fly-half, claiming that his reputation has given people unrealistic expectations. Nasser also cites the Wallabies achievements in the past year as evidence that the team as a whole has progressed.
You can read what he has to say here: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/coopers-agent-returns-fire-after-critics-blast-his-client-20111018-1lz0w.html
This is all well and good, but it doesn't excuse Cooper's performances in these crucial games. He is responsible for directing our attack. He has high expectations not only because of his talent but because he's playing in a very important position. It wouldn't matter who it was on the field, if they played like Cooper did they'd be copping it from every corner just like him.
His long term future in the game is in serious doubt. If he can't handle the pressure in the world cup arena he shouldn't be playing for the Wallabies at all. It remains to be seen if he can turn it around. Personally I think he would be more suited to rugby league where he'll have a lot more time and space to work his magic.
Champions of any sport know how to handle pressure. If Cooper can't hack it, it's time to step aside.
3 comments:
Karma's a bitch. Cooper screwed the wallabies for all the money he could get (having his manager court rugby league teams).
The fact that he only signed just beyond the rugby world cup has really come to bite him on the arse. (He did that so he could fuck off to league for a higher amount later on, or to France for big bucks).
In order for Australia to succeed we needed him to put his emotions out of the picture and for him to play a solid game (not throw idiotic flick passes). The fact that he kept up his erratic game, and that he was unrepentant after the semi final loss means he is unlikely to fix his behavior.
The greatness of a player is defined by how he performs when it counts. And in this case, when it counted, he failed miserably.
If I'm John O'Neil, he gets offered the minimum amount of money for his next contract, take it or leave it.
Regards
-Simon
In that case, he shall be off to league. It's easy to understand why him and SBW are buddies.
He will be found out in defense if he goes to league.
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