A much wiser Quade Cooper is embracing his relationship with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones as they prepare for a World Cup reunion almost two decades since they first crossed paths.
Cooper looks set to be fit for the Wallabies' opening Test against South Africa in Pretoria on July 9.
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The pair have a notable history together, with Jones throwing a then-teenager Cooper into the firing line for the Reds against the Crusaders in 2007.
Ironically, Jones' stint at the Reds came at the end at the same ground as where the Rugby Championship opener will be played, with the Reds thumped 92-3 by the Bulls.
Now almost 18 years later, both characters have gone through a significant journey back to the Wallabies, with Jones' views clear on the flyhalf when he labelled Cooper as one of five world-class players within the current squad.
“I was a child, I was 17 when I first met him,” Cooper recalled to reporters.
“If you’re 17 coming into an environment like this, a professional environment predominately of grown men, your perception is a whole lot different. Now being able to have a conversation man-to-man and also my level of understanding of life and footy is at a higher level.
“So when we’re having conversations, he’s saying something that I can understand at a higher level, I can challenge his thought process based on my own and I think those conversations are beautiful to have.
“I’ve enjoyed being around him. When I was around him younger, it was more a fear relationship because you’re such a younger kid so you look at him like a father figure when you walk into a room.”
Cooper is confident he has overcome his Achilles injury, despite playing just three games in 2022, the last being under Jones' guidance for last month's Barbarians v World XV exhibition.
“For me, the process has been smooth. I’ve had time, I haven’t had to rush anything," he said.
“…It’s been enjoyable being able to see every day just the little increments of improvement and my thought has also been progression over perfection and striving to be better.
“I felt confident a while back getting onto the field. I’m grateful for the opportunity to play two very important games for my club and then play for the Barbarians against the World XV which was a tremendous, physical game against some of the work’s best.
“To have that type of preparation coming back from injury, I’m truly grateful and to be back in camp and training with the guys has been a great opportunity.”
Cooper reflected on the influence of having fellow Wallaby Samu Kerevi alongside him for the recovery journey, with the pair praising the work of the Queensland Academy of Sport after suffering season-ending injuries within the space of five days.
“Having Samu was a great bonus,” he added.
“We’re able to push each other on certain days when we’re training alongside each other throughout every step of the journey. The first day Samu got the opportunity to run again, I was right there next to him filming some stuff for him.
“I’m just so impressed with how he went about his rehab and it kept each other in check. If there was day where I didn’t have as much energy and you look over and see him putting in the hard yards, it pushed me.”
