Cooper endorses League prodigy
Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper hopes to return from injury earlier than expected, but in the meantime he has endorsed teenage prodigy Duncan Paia'aua to fill his No.10 slot in the Reds squad.
Cooper said Monday that a fractured collarbone, which will rule him out of the first half of the Super Rugby season, is unlikely to derail his bid to play at this year's Rugby World Cup.
The seasoned Wallaby will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair the injury that he suffered in a training accident and will be sidelined for 12 weeks.
The 26-year-old said it was better the injury happened now "rather than two months before the World Cup or a month before".
"Something like a collarbone I can live with," he told a media briefing at Ballymore in Brisbane, adding: "If it was a knee injury, a reconstruction or another shoulder injury, that's when you get a bit down."
His vote of confidence went for 19-year-old Rugby League convert Duncan Paia'aua, who played Rugby Union in high school and twice represented Queensland at Under-16.
The youngster spent the past two seasons with the Brisbane Broncos Under-20 side in Rugby League's National Youth Competition, before signing with the Reds for two seasons.
Duncan, born in New Zealand, moved to Melbourne when he was three years old, before settling in Rockhampton in 2002.
Cooper said he is not sure who the coach will eventually name at flyhalf, but suggested Paia'aua won't be out of place.
"He is going really well," the Wallaby flyhalf said, adding: "The boys really enjoy him and he is learning fast.
"We do have a few options there [at No.10], but he is a guy that in the pre-season we have put him in there a lot to ensure we do have cover for that position.
"In the past Will [Genia] and myself have had injuries or played a full season. So to be able to rotate players in will be good for the team."
Cooper said he has been taking the youngster under his wing since his arrival at the Reds.
"I really enjoy his company and I enjoy him as a teammate. I have been able to offer him a bit of advice.
"He is a young player and hasn't played much rugby [Union], but he is a talent and has all the skills to be a great player.
"I have just been directing him in terms of how he approaches his training and the little things he can learn to pick up on the game a little bit quicker - so hopefully I can continue to give him advice and help him out."
With the injury having happened in pre-season he feels he has time on his side.
"I am able to take my time, come back and make sure I do everything possible to vie for one of the spots in the World Cup squad."
Cooper will be in a sling for four to six weeks.
"Hopefully I can heal a bit quicker than normal, but it is one of those things where it is no point in rushing it."
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