Wallabies

'I'm not at all worried': Cooper 'enjoying the journey' after Achilles injury

Test veteran Cooper had a tough season in 2022.

The star pivot was ruled out of the Wallabies’ first test of the year against England after he injured his calf in the warm-up.

After a fairly lengthy stint on the sidelines, which ruled him out of the entire series against England, Cooper picked up another injury later in the year against Argentina.

Playing in the No. 10 jersey against Los Pumas in Mendoza, Cooper ruptured his Achilles during the 41-26 win.

Quade Cooper’s international season was over before it really began.

Eddie Jones won't be joining Wallabies before World Cup

Reuters reports Australian Jones, who led the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final, has been linked with various roles at Rugby Australia since he was sacked by England in December.

"It's not going to happen," New Zealander Rennie told reporters, later adding: "It's not going to happen before the World Cup.

"We've had no discussions around changes to the coaching group ... what happens beyond 2023 is another matter."

Jones was equally blunt in an interview with the Guardian on Friday when he was asked whether he would be interested in working under Rennie.

Bomb Squad defused as Springboks make two changes for Wallabies

Warrick Gelant will start on the right wing in the place of the injured Jesse Kriel, while the experienced de Klerk returns to the halfback position after he was concussed playing against the All Blacks earlier this month.

Gelant is the fourth right wing in as many tests for the Springboks after Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Kriel were all ruled out through either injury or suspension.

Respected Brumbies coach joins Wallabies' brains trust

Taylor resigned for personal reasons this week, a few days after the Wallabies conceded seven tries in a record 48-17 loss to Argentina and ahead of back-to-back home tests against the world champion Springboks.

Fisher, currently in charge of the forwards at the Brumbies, is one of the most respected coaches in Australian rugby for his work at the Canberra-based team over the last two decades.

"We're grateful Laurie has been able to join us at such short notice and would also like to thank the Brumbies for their support too," said head coach Dave Rennie.

Foley back for Wallabies

Foley was former coach Michael Cheika's go-to man in the position but has spent the last three years playing in Japan.

With Quade Cooper suffering a long-term Achilles' injury and Rennie not sold on back-up options James O'Connor and Noah Lolesio, 32-year-old Foley may have a chance to add to his 71 Wallabies caps.

Rennie has welcomed back a number of reinforcements to his 35-man squad named on Thursday after a horror run of injuries that saw a depleted Wallabies side smashed 48-17 by Argentina last weekend.

Pressure mounting on Wallabies coach Dave Rennie

Wallabies fans may have hoped for results-based progress in Rennie's third season in charge but their team have now lost a home series to England, crashed to their heaviest defeat to Argentina and slumped to seventh in the world rankings.

The New Zealander will name his squad this week for back-to-back Rugby Championship matches against the Springboks starting in Adelaide on Aug. 27 and could welcome up to eight fit-again players back to camp.

Pumas too good for Wallabies

The home side ran in seven tries for their biggest ever victory over the Wallabies, who have been depleted by injury and player absences for personal reasons.

Rennie will have learnt a lot from seeing his next best in action, but with the future of regular skipper Michael Hooper uncertain after he pulled out of the tour saying he was not in the right frame of mind to play, there will be concern a year out from the Rugby World Cup in France.

"Massive disappointment. Not good enough," Rennie told reporters.

Wallabies star willing to surrender No 10 jersey to James O'Connor or Noah Lolesio

Hodge came off the bench early in the second half after Cooper ruptured his Achilles and says he’s happy to again assume the utility role for Sunday’s (AEST) clash in San Juan, leaving Noah Lolesio or James O’Connor as chief playmaker.

Having played everywhere in the Australian backline apart from halfback, his versatility meant coach Dave Rennie could load up on forwards amongst his reserves to meet the power-packed Pumas.

Quade Cooper's World Cup in doubt after 'devastating' injury update

Cooper went down in the first seven minutes of the second half after attempting one of his trademark goose steps. The 34-year-old immediately fell to the ground clutching his heel and was clearly in agony.

It has been confirmed that he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, a notoriously difficult injury to mend in the context of elite sports.

The injury could mean he doesn’t set foot back onto a rugby pitch until the mid-2023 and leaves the mercurial playmaker in a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Rugby Australia statement: Michael Hooper

In a statement, Rugby Australia say the 30-year-old ‘believes he’s not in the mindset to fulfill the responsibility that goes with leading and representing his country at this point in time.’

The 121-Test openside flanker has addressed his teammates to tell them and that ‘he has the utmost confidence in the group to get the job done tomorrow in Mendoza’.

James Slipper will lead the side in his place, while Fraser McReight will replace Hooper in the number seven jersey.