Jones buoyed by Cooper ‘progress’ as deadline looms

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones says Quade Cooper is “progressing really nicely” in his bid to be fit for the Rugby World Cup.

The star fly-half suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon just minutes before the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina last year and has been sidelined since.

He ran on for his Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in the Rugby League One competition before being subbed out just a minute into the match. 

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Taking the field meant Cooper qualified for the promotion/relegation series.

Cooper could have his first proper outing when Kintetsu face the Urayasu D-Rocks on Sunday. 

“He ran on well, and he ran off well – so that’s a start, but he’s obviously got to do more,” said Jones of the cameo.

“He’s due to play in a couple of weeks and everything’s on song. He’s progressing really nicely.”

Samu Kerevi is also recovering “really nicely” from a busted ACL as are Melbourne Rebels stars Matt Philip and Rob Leota.

With a healthy cache of players to pick from, it’s a good problem to have for Jones as the World Cup edges close.

“We’ve got a number of players coming back, so it’s really promising,” said Jones.

“Which again, it creates this nice selection pressure that the players who keep improving and the players who keep showing that they’ve got an appetite to be the best in the world will get selected.”

One man who likely won’t be selected is experienced lock Rory Arnold. 

He hasn’t played any rugby this year after his Hino Red Dolphins withdrew from League One citing a bar brawl.

Arnold decided not to return to Australia to play for a Super Rugby Pacific side and has instead remained in Japan to train with the team.

Asked if he had spoken to him while recently in Japan, Jones said he “didn’t go to any mahjong clubs.”

“He’s not playing. If he’s not playing, it’s very hard to get selected,” Jones explained.

“I can’t play him if he’s playing mahjong. You’re playing mahjong, well, it doesn’t get you on the team.”

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