Deans however has been at pains to point out that Cooper was short on match play and was more likely to line up against Wales in a couple of weeks leaving Mike Harris the chance to wear the gold number 10 jersey. New Zealand born Harris lined up at fly half during the Wallabies opposed session on Wednesday and is firming as a viable option to lead the Wallabies around the park on Tuesday. Harris covered for Cooper at the Reds in the early rounds of the Super Rugby season and seemingly showed enough for Robbie Deans to be willing to pitchfork him into the Test rugby arena. Other contenders include Waratahs back Berrick Barnes and Reds youngster Ben Lucas.
The Wallabies are already without their skipper James Horwill who suffered a hamstring injury in the Reds win over the Brumbies which means the Wallabies are not only trying to find a new playmaker but also a new leader. Thankfully the Wallabies have a couple of born leaders in Will Genia and David Pocock who are both more than capable to take charge of the Wallabies for the four Tests.
Robbie Deans has also injected a large dose of new blood into the Wallabies team by naming 14 uncapped players including 2 rugby league converts, Joseph Tomane and Cooper Vuna and a former AIS rower in the unheralded Caderyn Neville who was only three years ago sitting on the bench for a fourth grade Sydney club.
The Wallabies play Scotland in Newcastle on Tuesday June 5 at Hunter Stadium and the Welsh on June 9 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Adam Schoenmaker is a high school chaplain in the northern suburbs of Brisbane for three days each week and serves two days a week in his local church. Adam loves a good book, a classic album and all Queensland sporting teams.
Adam Schoenmaker archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/adam-schoenmaker.html