Cooper must avoid distractions

Cape Town - Off-field distractions and speculation over the future of flyhalf Quade Cooper could affect Australia ahead of its Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in Pretoria, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has warned.

"The peripheral stuff will bite him if it is in the forefront of his mind, and subsequently it will bite the team. I hope that's not the case," Deans said Monday as the Australians began their buildup to back-to-back games in South Africa.

The 22-year-old Cooper is the target of a lucrative offer from NRL team Parramatta Eels and could be about to switch to rugby league.

He is expected to announce his plans after the Tri-Nations tournament, which ends on September 11.

Deans said the playmaker will be considered for selection for Saturday's game despite doubts over his long-term involvement with the national team.

He added Cooper would face a big test at the traditionally intimidating Loftus Versfeld stadium after missing Australia's last two matches through suspension - he was guilty of a dangerous tackle on opposite number Morne Steyn in Australia's 30-13 home win over South Africa on July 24.

"He hasn't been in rugby for a few weeks," Deans said, "so to go from nothing to a Tri-Nations fixture ... there is a lot at stake and a lot of intensity. The Springboks won't make his life easy."

Australia and South Africa are left to play for second place in the Tri-Nations after New Zealand clinched its 10th title with a dramatic late victory over the Springboks in Soweto on Saturday.

But both teams are desperate for victory this weekend.

South Africa has now lost four successive games, while Australia has lost its last two.

"It will be (South Africa lock) Victor Matfield's 100th game, and it's a game we desperately want to win, too," center Matt Giteau said. Giteau stood in for Cooper at flyhalf in successive defeats to the All Blacks.

"The intensity will be right up there, nobody will be making it easy for anyone else," Giteau said.

Giteau also backed Cooper to show his talent in the Pretoria game, if he is selected.

"Quade has always been very flashy and always done the flashy things well," he said. "(But) he's really matured now (in) his kicking game and the control of his game.

"He's more consistent and he's doing the small things well, too."

South Africa will be desperate to end its four-match losing streak, says Deans, meaning Saturday's first of two Tests will be fiercely contested.

"They will respond off the back of that pressure and I would suggest it will be even more so," he said. "They won't be enjoying the pressure and they'll be bringing a lot to the table.

"We'll be doing so as well."

Deans also dismissed criticism of South Africa's aging leaders.

He said captain John Smit - who won his 100th cap in South Africa's last match - and vice-captain Matfield are playing "some of the best rugby of their careers."

"Both of them are loving what they are doing and they understand their games," Deans said.

The Australia squad will travel from Cape Town to the high-altitude of South Africa's capital Pretoria on Thursday ahead of Saturday's match.