Why Umaga should steer clear of Cooper
Patrick McKendry comment
Unlike most kids at Christmas, when too many sweets are never enough, Blues coach Tana Umaga will be satisfied his first-five stocks for next year are more than adequate.
Otere Black, a new signing from the Hurricanes, is likely to miss the entire 2018 season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament but in Stephen Perofeta and Bryn Gatland, Umaga has No 10 covered.
But that’s not even the main reason Umaga wouldn’t be interested in signing Quade Cooper, unwanted at the Reds by new coach Brad Thorn and now searching for a new club.
After so many weird and wonderful solutions for the problematic position at the Blues (Benji Marshall was just one) since Carlos Spencer’s departure 12 years ago, Umaga is attempting to develop a player from the grassroots up and the signing of the unwanted Wallabies and Reds playmaker would take a big scythe to that philosophy.
It would also alter team dynamics — and probably not in a good way. Cooper was a very good player for the Reds and Wallabies, but his best rugby was probably played before the 2011 World Cup.
He can also be a controversial and divisive player. He wouldn’t come cheap either and is almost certain to take up an offer in Japan, where the money is good and the defensive duties not too arduous. Umaga showed that he believed first-five was still an issue last year when making a big play for Beauden Barrett but for whatever reason couldn’t seal the deal. Now his focus must be on youth because, first, he probably doesn’t have any other option and, second, it fits in with his work at the franchise where the retention of players is more important than recruitment.
Black, 22, has been a solid back-up to Barrett at the Hurricanes, but his untimely injury may hand Perofeta the chance he needs to establish himself.
Perofeta, a 20-year-old born in Wanganui, is young enough to be moulded to Umaga’s vision. His first start at the franchise was the famous win against the British and Irish Lions.
Gatland, 22 and born in Huntly, also shone against the Lions, coached by dad Warren. Despite the spotlight, he led the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in a remarkably close loss to the tourists in their first match at Whangarei.
Perofeta, Gatland or Black could well be the future at the Blues. Quade Cooper is not.