Quade Cooper, the former Wallaby flyhalf, has weighed in on the All Blacks' recent struggles and the appointment of new coach Dave Rennie. Cooper, who was instrumental in the team's revival under Rennie, believes that the All Blacks' recent performance has been lacking in detail, and that Rennie's return will bring a much-needed focus and structure to the side.
Cooper's own international career was revitalized when Rennie brought him back to the Wallabies in 2021. During this period, Cooper helped the team achieve a five-game winning streak, including back-to-back victories over the world champion Springboks. However, Cooper's fortunes changed when Rennie was let go by Rugby Australia in 2022, and he was subsequently left out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad by Eddie Jones.
In his interview with Sky Sport NZ, Cooper highlighted the importance of detail in rugby, particularly for the All Blacks, who he believes have always been built on a strong cultural foundation. He praised Rennie's approach, which emphasizes the 'obvious' aspects of the game, such as passing the ball to the player in space and kicking it to the right area. Cooper believes that this attention to detail, combined with Rennie's ability to build a cohesive team, will help the All Blacks regain their dominance in the sport.
Cooper also addressed the cultural side of the All Blacks, suggesting that the team has been lacking in this area in recent years. He believes that Rennie's emphasis on 'doing the obvious' will help create a more cohesive and effective team, and that the fans and supporters will play a crucial role in helping the team achieve success.
Overall, Cooper's comments suggest that he has a deep understanding of the All Blacks' strengths and weaknesses, and that he believes Rennie is the right person to lead the team back to the top of the rugby world. While the All Blacks have faced significant challenges in recent years, Cooper's optimism and faith in Rennie's abilities suggest that the team is on the right path to recovery.
