New Aussie coach brings back outcast Quade

 
Back in the fold: Quade Cooper in action for Queensland
26 July 2013

Quade Cooper was today recalled by new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie for the Rugby Championship.

McKenzie, who has included 10 uncapped players in his squad, replaced Robbie Deans in the wake of the series defeat to the British and Irish Lions and his first act was to bring back Cooper.

Cooper’s relationship with his former Queensland Reds coach McKenzie is as close as it was frosty with Deans. The New Zealand-born fly-half fell out spectacularly with Deans and has not played for his country since September.

“Everyone talks about Quade but I’m interested in depth,” McKenzie said. “There are players not in that 40 who we are interested in. There are young players we could have put in but they are not ready.”

James Horwill will captain the Wallabies, who open the Rugby Championship with a double header against New Zealand in Sydney on August 17 before the return game in Wellington a week later.

Wallabies full-back Kurtley Beale has been ruled out for the year after being told by McKenzie to have an operation on his shoulder and come back fit and healthy next year. “The best thing for him was to get it fixed,” said McKenzie.

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