Cooper shows composure under fire

Quade Cooper has more reasons than most players at RWC 2011 to wish he had stayed at home.

Labelled ‘public enemy No.1’ by sections of the New Zealand media, incessantly booed by Kiwi crowds and with his gung-ho attacking game coming under fire from some rugby commentators, the challenges the Australian fly half has faced at this tournament are considerable.

And all this before considering the weight of expectation heaped on to his young shoulders that he will inspire the Wallabies towards a third Webb Ellis Cup following success in 1991 and 1999.

However, despite these pressures, and showing an off-field composure beyond his years, the 23-year-old says he has enjoyed and appreciated every moment of his time at the World Cup.

“It’s been an experience, to say the least. It’s obviously had its moments, but this is a competition that comes around once every four years, so you’ve got to make the most of it and soak it up,” Cooper said.

“I was sitting on the bus on the way home from training yesterday and I was just having a gaze out the window and thinking how privileged I am.”

Privileged position

“Despite what anyone says, or what any person has as an opinion, I’m in a privileged position to be sitting on the bus as part of the Wallabies, as part of the World Cup.”

South Africa will be doing their best to unseat Cooper come Sunday evening, when they take on the Wallabies in their quarter-final match at Wellington Regional Stadium.

The high-profile fly half has enjoyed staggering success against Springboks teams in recent times, guiding Queensland Reds to eight wins over South African Super Rugby sides last season while also recording four victories from the last five Tests against the national team.

In response, South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has stated Cooper must be stopped if his team are to prevail, although the Australian is attempting to remain level-headed over being labelled as his side's danger man.

“If everyone is looking to shut you down and pinpointing you as the focal point of the team, then you’ve got to take that as a compliment. But you can’t let that control your ego,” said Cooper.

“Just because all the focus is on you doesn’t mean that everyone is focusing on you. It could be a part of their tactics.”

Beale backing

While he may be accustomed to copping flak from outside sources, Cooper still has the backing of teammate Kurtley Beale.

“I think he’s done very well. A lot of people are at him, for right or wrong reasons, but I think he’s coping with the expectations,” the full back said.

Tellingly, Beale admitted he will be trying to stick close to his fly half in attack when the Wallabies face the Springboks for one very understandable reason.

“Quade has the ability to make you look good.”