Cooper welcome in Canberra: Powell

Tue, May 8, 2018, 4:56 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
The last time they met the Brumbies were humbled by the Rebels away from home. That won't be the case when they meet in Canberra this weekend according to their Brumbies lock.

Exiled Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper would be a welcome addition to the Brumbies fold, according to halfback Joe Powell.

Cooper has not featured for the Reds in 2018, having been told he is no longer required by coach Brad Thorn.

He has been plying his trade for Souths and has turned down midseason approaches by both the Rebels and the Brumbies, such is his desire to stay in Queensland.

But should Dan McKellar's invitation eventually be accepted, Powell said Cooper would be a welcome addition in Canberra.

"He's a guy with a lot of experience and he would teach the younger guys a lot of things," Powell said.

"We'd be happy to have him if he was to come."


While Cooper appears content leading the Magpies around Chipsy Wood Oval, Powell said he expected there to still be an itch to test himself at the highest level.

"He'd love to be playing footy at the higher level as well," he said.

"If we could get him down to Canberra - I'm not sure he would like the weather too much - but it would be good to see him playing at a higher level again."

Whether Cooper is the answer to the Brumbies' on field woes remains to be seen and in the mean time, ACT have a must win clash with the Rebels awaiting on Saturday night.

They will go into the match fresh having enjoyed a bye last weekend and Powell said his side's season would be far from over should they claim four points on Saturday.

"The last couple of weeks haven't been going the way we wanted them to and hopefully we can turn our season around," he said.Joe Powell and the Brumbies face a must win proposition against the Rebels. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley"This week we have spoken about getting the ball into space and I think the Rebels provide space around the field with how they defend.

"So we just have to make sure we don't let them in for easy tries."

It will be the little things, per Powell, that will make the biggest difference.

"As much as everyone says it - it is just little things," he said.

"We get to stages in games where we talking about building pressure but then we release it.

"Little errors, individual errors, team errors.

"This season isn't over for us.

"We just have to approach things one game at a time and if we put in a good performance the result will take care of itself this weekend."

The Brumbies host the Rebels on Saturday night, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and RUGBY.com.au radio.

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