Latest on Quade Cooper vs Wallabies coach Robbie Deans


WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans wants Quade Cooper in his team to face the British and Irish Lions next year.

A face-to-face meeting between Cooper and Deans has ensured the enigmatic flyhalf will be welcomed back into the Australian fold.

Cooper cleared the air with Deans in Brisbane last week, days after ending months of tense negotiations by re-signing with the Australian Rugby Union.

Reds and Wallabies stars James Horwill and Will Genia also attended the meeting, which Genia said was organised to discuss preparations for next year's British and Irish Lions tour.

While the Cooper news is a welcome development for the attack-blunted Wallabies, unfortunately for Reds fans Genia will not return from his knee injury until Super Rugby's round 6, which is four weeks later than originally hoped.


Speaking at a Reds' junior clinic with the Wynnum Bugs rugby club, Genia said there were no issues between Deans and Cooper.

"I don't think there's any issues there," Genia said.

"It was Robbie, me, James and Quade. We all sat down and talked about the Lions tour, dates of the camps, what they will be about and all those sorts of things, plus a bit of content about footy.

"There's absolutely no issues there at all from what I saw."

Australia's hopes to defeat the Lions next June are significantly boosted by Cooper having a functioning relationship with Deans.

Lions coach Warren Gatland recently said Deans had misused Cooper this year and the 24-year-old was a crucial element to the Wallabies.

Cooper, who will make his professional boxing debut on February 8, was asked two weeks ago if he was happy to play under Deans.

"Of course ... he's the coach," Cooper said.

Current Australian No.10 Kurtley Beale was inconsistent during the Wallabies' European tour.

He was outplayed by Italy's flyhalf Luciano Orquera and France's Frederic Michalak.

The Wallabies also need a fit and in-form Genia, who missed the European tour with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Genia said the eight rounds of Super Rugby he would play between his return game against the Bulls and the Lions tour was enough for him to be Test-ready.

"If I'm going to be realistic, it'll be round 6 that I'm back," Genia said.

"If I'm back in round 6, I get two months to play footy.

"Robbie and I discussed when I'd be back and I said to him, 'That's more than enough for me to be ready' and Robbie agreed with that.

"To be able to represent your country in a once in 12-year opportunity would be amazing.

"It is the best of England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland and I really want to be there.

"If we beat them it will prove a lot about our team. We want to entertain and play rugby people want to watch."

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