Wallabies flyhalf Quade Cooper has no concerns about returning to his best as he continues to recover from a ruptured Achilles.
At this time of the year, Cooper would usually be with Japanese club Kintetsu. However, last year's season-ending injury against Argentina has opened the door for the playmaker to join the Wallabies in camp on the Gold Coast as he continues the rehab process.
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The 34-year-old has based himself at the Queensland Academy of Sport alongside great mate Samu Kerevi, praising their effort as he refuses to set a time on his immediate return.
“The process has been amazing,” Cooper told reporters.
“It’s been an incredible and smooth journey. Everything’s on track so hopefully I can get back to running in the next couple of weeks and everything can progress from here.
“This type of injury has been one of easiest I’ve had, it’s just about time. The first three months are the most difficult where you have to sit relatively still and find ways to continue to improve as an athlete and person and enjoy your life within the confines of being on crutches and a little scooter which is very helpful.”
Cooper remains adamant he can return back to the level that saw the former Red engineer a dream return to the Wallabies set-up.
“I have no doubts about coming back to Rugby but for me, the process of this whole journey has been more about discipline and what I choose to work on as a person which is everyday things," he believes.
“The better and more disciplined around how I act, the better the outcome will be with this injury. I’m not at all worried about coming back and how well I’ll play, I’m just enjoying the journey so far.”
This belief comes off the back of setting consistent positive habits, rather than looking to motivation to help guide his form.
It's this type of approach that allowed Cooper to return in 2021 seamlessly and find greater consistency, which fills him with confidence as he looks to regain his spot in the national side.
“It’s super easy because for me it’s about discipline and the habits that I have daily,” Cooper explained.
“When I first came back to the Wallabies, I was out for five years so instead of looking at things that motivated me, I started to look at who I was and wanted to be as a person which is a guy that’s hard-working and disciplined.
“When you start to build those habits, no matter what comes along the way, if you can get to the point where you can live at a certain level, if you’re doing that every day, there will be things along the way that may or may not happen but you’re giving yourself the best opportunity if it arises.
“I look back at the (return) period. I was four months into my holiday and then I got the call into the Wallabies squad. If I was in holiday mode and I thought this was the time to relax and sit back, go drink alcohol, and if I got the call from Dave (Rennie) to play, I’m basically gambling and flipping a coin if I’ll go well rather than knowing the level I’m going to play at and perform for my team.
“…For me, I don’t look for things to motivate me, more so habits every day and how I can build on them and make better decisions. When we’re faced with choices, if it’s a habit, it’s a lot easier to choose the right ones."
Having watched the Spring Tour from afar, the flyhalf believes the experience will only make the Wallabies better as they eye off September's World Cup.
“There were some great things to come out of that tour,” Cooper added.
“Having some young guys who haven’t had a lot of opportunities to get their chance to show what they have, a lot of them stepped up and in preparation for a World Cup, you want to see as many guys as you can play.
“The goal is to win those games but the only way you get that experience is by allowing people the opportunity. There were some highs and lows but that’s footy.
“My focus is always on the process and how I can get myself better and give myself the best opportunity whenever I’m in the team to do the best I can.
“As we continue to build, we hope this team and being in camp now around the group, we just want to get better as a group and peak at the right time.”
