Rugby Championship
Cooper will 'hit' straps
2012-09-18 10:13
Sydney - Wallaby centre Anthony Fainga'a has backed their Reds
team-mate Quade Cooper to rediscover his best form after an indifferent
display in Australia's 23-19 victory over Argentina.
Cooper has been the subject of criticism stretching back to
the Wallabies' semi-final exit against the All Blacks in last year's
World Cup.
He came under more fire on the weekend, with coach Robbie
Deans admitting he was considering taking Cooper off the park.
Anthony Fainga'a believes the constant scrutiny surrounding Cooper's performances have been unjustified.
“I think he's been playing well, he drops a few balls but everyone does," he said.
“There's so much pressure on him. If someone else drops the ball no one talks about it.”
Cooper was guilty of a number of errors against Argentina,
most notably a dropped ball, a wayward forward pass and a charged down
kick which led to the Puma's opening try.
Cooper's game improved considerably in the second half and
Fainga'a said it was only a matter of time until he discovers the type
of form which was instrumental in the Reds' 2011 Super Rugby title.
“He toughed it out in that first half and came back in the
second and played very clinical, played to our game plan, and we won the
game," he said.
“He'll hit his rhythm soon, the more game time he plays the better he will become.”
Anthony Fainga'a and his twin brother Saia will use their
time off between the end of the Rugby Championship and the Wallabies'
end of season spring tour of Europe to promote the Think Pink Charity
Golf Day and Luncheon which will raise awareness for the National Breast
Cancer Foundation.
The golf day will be held on October 12 at the Hope Island resort on the Gold Coast.