ID :
213201
Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:54
Auther :

Quade Cooper back by round six, say Reds

SYDNEY (AAP) - Oct 28 - Super Rugby champions Queensland are expecting prized five-eighth Quade Cooper to return to action two weeks earlier than expected after successful knee surgery.
The enigmatic Wallabies playmaker was expected to miss the first eight weeks of the competition after going down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament early in the World Cup bronze medal play-off with Wales.
But Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said Cooper should return before the halfway mark of the 2012 Super Rugby season after receiving encouraging feedback following surgery in Brisbane on Thursday.
McKenzie said he would be targeting the round-seven clash on April 6 against the Brumbies as Cooper's long-awaited return.
That would mean Cooper would miss only the opening six games of the 18-round Super Rugby season - not eight as first feared.
McKenzie said Cooper had already been discharged from hospital and would commence rehabilitation "immediately".
"Quade's operation went smoothly with surgery results confirming the circumstances of his injury are typical to what you normally expect from a torn ACL," McKenzie said.
"We're confident he'll return in the quickest time possible and hopefully in time for the Brumbies in early April.
"There's no doubting Quade's professional approach to the game and he will work tirelessly with our medical staff to ensure he is back on the field sooner rather than later.
"That's just the type of person he is."
Cooper has worn the Reds No.10 jersey for 31 consecutive games and 52 of 53 matches since March 15, 2008.
But McKenzie said finding a replacement had not fazed him.
He will trial up to six potential candidates - Mike Harris, Jono Lance, Ben Lucas and Ben Tapuai as well as Dallan Murphy and Ulupano Seuteni from their extended playing squad.
The Reds' pre-season begins on November 7 with their Super Rugby season opener against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on February 25.
"Recruitment and retention has been priority No.1 since I joined the Reds and we've developed a roster that can not only survive the loss of Quade, but thrive in his absence," McKenzie said.
"We used 37 players on our way to winning the Super Rugby competition last year and that collective effort is again going to be the focus of our success.
"The whole group needs to step up.
"It's disappointing to lose Quade but we have a number of capable players who can step in and excel in his absence."


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