Cooper still has not won critics over
Australian playmaker Quade Cooper finished on the winning side but gave his army of critics in New Zealand ample ammunition in the Wallabies' 11-9 World Cup quarterfinal victory over South Africa in Wellington Sunday.
Cooper could conjure none of the magic that delivered Australia this year's Tri-Nations title, in a shaky display that at times almost cost his side the match before they overcame the defending champions.
His attacking flair was nullified by the Springboks and his sometimes frail defence was again called into question with a series of missed tackles, one of which led to a 'try', which luckily for Cooper, was disallowed.
The 23-year-old's turnover rate, four in this game and 16 during the tournament, and tendency to slice tactical kicks in pressure situations left the Australians camped in their own 22 for much of the match.
His form was so woeful it may even give Australian coach Robbie Deans a selection headache going into a likely semifinal with New Zealand, with Berrick Barnes a possible replacement for the wayward No.10.
Deans said Cooper would probably concede it wasn't his best game and praised Barnes's effort off the bench.
"The good thing is we got through the game with that and this whole group will be better for tonight's experience," former New Zealand fullback Deans said.
"Berrick did well, there was one very good kick which alleviated a lot of pressure and produced a bit of pressure and ultimately produced the opportunity we needed."
New Zealand-born Cooper, roundly booed by locals in the Wellington Regional Stadium every time he touched the ball, fumbled his first touch in the third minute, spilling a Morné Steyn kick backwards.
He missed two tackles and scuffed a clearing kick in the first 10 minutes but showed a glimpse of his undoubted talent soon after, easing the pressure on Australia with a beautifully weighted 30-metre kick.
But it was in the late in the game, when Australia was desperately defending an 8-6 lead that Cooper really began to struggle.
He missed a crucial tackle that allowed South Africa to position themselves for a Steyn drop-goal which the Springboks ahead 9-8,
Shortly before that, he caught a high ball well but was turned over after being tackled by the chasing Bryan Habana, allowing the Boks to spread the ball to the other side of the pitch for a 'try' that referee Bryce Lawrence disallowed after spotting a forward pass.
At times Cooper was screaming for the ball as he tried to inject himself into the game.
But the mercurial skills that on another night may have allowed the Australians to dominate - ranging from an attempted one-handed pick up of a Will Genia pass that knocked on, a grubber kick that went straight to Steyn or a clearing kick charged down by Willem Alberts - all failed to come off against the Springboks.
AFP