Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie is confident Quade Cooper can put his trans Tasman woes behind him and prove he doesn't have a problem performing on the big stage against the All Blacks.
McKenzie won't announce his team for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand until Thursday, but said Cooper will “deliver” if selected.
The Australian five eighth was benched for August's Bledisloe loss in Wellington, but after starring against Argentina, Cooper is set to confront his demons head-on in the starting side in Dunedin.
He's also expected to take over goal-kicking duties from the injured Christian Lealiifano.
Cooper was public enemy No 1 in New Zealand throughout the 2011 World Cup and has struggled to bring his dynamic best to the table against the all-round class of the All Blacks defence.
But McKenzie said Cooper had improved his game throughout this year's Rugby Championship and that his so-called nightmare run across the ditch was largely a media creation.
The game kicks off at 6.35pm Saturday.
Story by: Filipe Naikaso
Source: stuff.co.nz
