Quade Cooper Promises Attacking Final
Reds playmaker Quade Cooper has vowed to keep following his attacking instincts in the Super Rugby Final against the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Cooper was at his scintillating best in the Reds 30-13 win over the Blues, and the fly half knows the final is not the time to go into his shell.
Cooper said that the Reds were at their best when they played free flowing enterprising rugby, and that would not change against the Crusaders.
“I don’t try and go away from it (my style) or play anything different to suit critics or other people wanting certain things. I just go out and do what I have to do for the team,” Cooper said.
“It’s exciting to some, but for us it’s just how we play. No changes will be made. That’s how we’ve played all year.
“Our mindset is always go out there and express ourselves and enjoy ourselves and come to win. Where better to do that than in front of 50,000 people in a massive back yard?”
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie also said that he would not be advising Cooper to reign in his flamboyant style.
“I don’t spend my time telling Quade ‘no’,” said McKenzie.
“Saying no to creative people is not a profitable way to coach. I figure you get more out of encouraging.”
Just two years ago Cooper was part of a Reds team that was languishing at the foot at the Super Rugby table.
They are now just 80 minutes away from being crowned the best rugby province in the southern hemisphere, and many put the transformation down to Cooper becoming one of the best attacking players in the world.
Former Wallabies hooker Rod Kafer is firmly of the opinion that Cooper is now the best attacking player in world rugby.
“There is only one player in the world who has that sought of ability,” Kafer said.
“Cooper is a player the likes of which I cannot recall seeing. He’s about the best I have seen in the attacking game.”
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder knows the importance of shutting down Cooper.
“Quade Cooper is just sublime. He did things in the semi-final that were just unbelievable, but he’s been doing it every week,” Blackadder said.
“I just have to take my hat off to Cooper and Will Genia. The Reds have played brilliant rugby this year.”
