Cooper is a man on a mission, and so far he's doing the business.
The similarities between Cooper and Carlos Spencer run deep:
- They both pull dumb moves, and generally pull them off with startling success.
- They both grew up in small towns in the the central / lower central North Island of New Zealand.
- They are both dazzling runners with ball in hand.
- They both play first-five (fly half).
- With both there's more chance of a successful conversion when it's heat on from the sideline, than a gimmie out in front.
- Both have first names with an air of cool, and their last names start with a 'C'.
King Carlos only just hung his boots last season after making a comeback for the Lions, displaying staying power that even the hardiest Cantab has to admire. Whereas (King) Cooper seems to be just entering his prime.
Earlier in the season he pulled off a stunning array of plays that helped dispatch the Crusaders, both on attack and on the back foot.
This weekend against the Blues he was the real difference between the sides, ripping holes in the defence almost at will.
One of the notable moves was after taking a high ball well inside his own half, when he should have been taken ball in hand and punished. Instead he took on Lachie Munro and the touchline and won, then scorched upfield making a few more Blues look ordinary before offloading a sweet inside ball to deliver a try out of nothing.
It's got to be noted here that after a very solid season, Jared Payne was shown up as being a yard off the pace, and Lachie Munro simply outclassed. Why Rene Ranger wasn't there from the beginning we'll never know - he was the only Blue with any real puching power, the one thing they missed with a mountain of dominance in the first half.
Meantime Cooper is becoming famous for his jinking runs, bursts of speed, pinpoint passing and backhanded flicks that create space out of nothing. Credit should also be given to his Reds mates, who seem to understand him and have learned how to be in support and capitalise on a bit of glory themselves.
What interests me most is the future... what will happen when the real heat comes on. These tactics tend to be 'make or break' and while it's worked so far, you've got wonder if it's going to be 'break' when the defense is that one cut better. We'll find out in the coming months, first when the Crusaders machine steamrolls into town next weekend, and later though the Trinations and World Cup.
My pick is that the final is going to follow a predictable formula where the Crusaders will smother the Reds, including Cooper, into submission, just as the Sharks and Stormers have been before them. This is a class outfit, they will have learned from their previous visit where they were a penalty away from a win, and they're simply playing better footy right now. Quite incredible for a team that has watched their city crumble around their ears over the last year.
All my teams are gone from the comp now, so I'm a bystander. I want to Reds to win because they deserve it this year, great record and great style of rugby. I also want the Crusaders to win, one for the record books if they beat the odds after stepping up from a local calamity, losing their home ground, and dealing with 100% away games.
Similarly I want to see Cooper weave more magic as it's a joy to watch, but really I don't because he's now a flippin Ozzy. He just toasted my Blues, and if he toasts the AB's later in the year I won't care how good he was, I'll be fuming!
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