Quade Cooper at Queensland Reds training at Ballymore. Picture: Peter Wallis
FEISTY Brumbies coach Jake White has forecast a hellish Canberra ambush tonight for Quade Cooper through a breakdown blitz and non-stop harassment.
A relaxed Cooper said yesterday the Reds were ready for anything ACT Brumbies could throw at them as he prepared to go under the microscope in his first top-level match for five months.
"I expect Dave Pocock will be chasing me around the field and not leaving me alone all night,'' flyhalf Cooper said.
"What's new? The Brumbies trying to play a real physical game and going after me is nothing we don't expect.''
White is banking on Wallabies backrow titan Pocock stalling the Reds to force slow, fractured ball on Cooper under pressure.
"One of the secrets to the Reds is their ability at the breakdown and the tempo they can then put on the ball from halfback and through Cooper at No.10,'' White said.
"David Pocock is one of those players who can win a game on his own. He's going to add massive amounts of value.''
Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen was equally willing to paint a target:
"I'm no fan of the booing that has crept into Australian crowds but we will be putting as much acid as we can on Quade so he's making decisions under pressure.''
The Reds managed just three tries in their two tight wins over the Brumbies last year but there looks to be enough cutting edge to win as underdogs even without injured Will Genia.
Cooper's ability to find holes in the Brumbies defence with his slick passing game has been heightened by the selection of attacking outside centre Aidan Toua and roving sidekick Digby Ioane.
"We know the Brumbies put a lot of faith in their defence. It's exciting we've got guys like Aidan and Digby (and back reserve Chris F'Sautia) who can break the line out of nothing,'' Cooper said.
The spotlight on all the spark the Reds may lose without Genia has inadvertently been a slap in the face for utility Ben Lucas, who is primed for a big performance as replacement.
"People forget Quade and I grew up playing with an against each other in junior teams. We work well together,'' Lucas said.
"The big advantage for me has been knowing for months that I'd be playing halfback because it is a position where you need the repetition of skills that I've had this time.''
Lucas warned the Brumbies they will have their hands full with Cooper in the mood and fitness he's in.
"He's in a happy, confident space and just growing as a leader at the Reds,'' Lucas said.
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