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Cooper fears for mate SBW

Sydney - Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper has labelled the possibility of coming up against his mate Sonny Bill Williams in Hong Kong next week as ''scary'' as he warned team-mates not to take the league convert lightly.

Having been introduced by former NRL star-turned-boxer Anthony Mundine earlier this year, Cooper and Williams have become good friends, the former sending Williams a text message congratulating him on his selection in the All Blacks touring squad.

And while one-time NRL star Williams has only had three months to prove himself in the National Provincial Championship with Canterbury, Cooper said the 108kg midfielder had shown enough to suggest he can become a distinguished dual international. And running off the world's most dominant flyhalf in Dan Carter, Cooper said the former Kiwis Test star would exceed all expectations.

''When I found out Sonny Bill was picked in that All Blacks squad I sent him a text straight to say congratulations - he's a top bloke and he's been playing good footy,'' Cooper told The Sun-Herald.

''I'm where I'm at now because I was lucky enough to go on the spring tour last year, and I think Sonny will benefit just as much. Coming into a World Cup, you want to play against the best nations - the Wallabies, the Springboks and then a spring tour of the power nations.

''It's going to be great for him, and I know he'll really enjoy it and turn into an even better player than what he is now. It's going to be scary.

''And him running off Dan Carter, that's not something I like thinking about. But for him, being part of that set-up, for his personal development it's going to work wonders for Sonny.

''It's scary enough thinking about tackling him in a week's time, but it's going to be a very scary prospect to see where he is at in 12 months.''

Despite their friendship, Cooper said he won't be handing Williams any advice. In fact, he might be the one asking the questions.

''He hasn't asked me for any tips but I think I might be asking him for tips in defence,'' Cooper grinned. ''He is a giant. He can defend hard, he can put a massive hit on and he can break tackles and offload with one hand. It's crazy. He's big, man. He's got some massive shoulders. He's built like a bodybuilder, and prancing and running around, it's not going to be the most exciting thing trying to tackle him.

''I'll probably get a few chances (laughs) but hopefully I'll get a bit of back-up from Dave Pocock and Saia Faingaa, so I'll hope for the best.''

And regardless of the carnage Williams is capable of causing against the Wallabies, a relaxed and jovial Cooper said his presence alone was a big win for international rugby.

''He's good to watch. He's something different,'' Cooper said. ''And he's something rugby union hasn't seen yet. I love that entertainment factor. Rugby is something that we love doing and we want entertainment factor for the fans. And if you can bring that entertainment factor to your game with players like Sonny Bill, it's going to be pretty exciting for the fans. I think he's making the transition well, and from what he's told me, he's starting to really enjoy it now.''
 
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