TEST HERO GIVES THANKS

WALLABIES hero Quade Cooper has paid tribute to the influence former All Blacks and NRL star Sonny Bill Williams had on him during his dark times in the sport.

Cooper stepped up to nail a game-winning goal against South Africa in his return to the international stage. Playing his first Test on Sunday night since 2017, Cooper was flawless off the kicking tee, nailing eight from eight – including the winner after the final siren – on the Gold Coast in a 28-26 victory.

“When things went a bit pear-shaped a few years ago, (Williams) was the first guy to reach out to me,” Cooper told Channel 9.

“I spent about two-three months with him, just living with him every day and just seeing what it takes to be a good strong man every day.”

The Wallabies will play the Springboks again in Brisbane on Saturday.