Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has given a significant hint that Quade Cooper is being lined up to be their first choice fly-half at the Rugby World Cup.

The 34-year-old is currently sidelined after rupturing his Achilles tendon during Australia’s Rugby Championship clash with Argentina last year.

His timeframe for recovery is uncertain, but the playmaker has already begun kicking and running as he looks to get himself ready for the global tournament in France.

Australia’s fly-half options

Following Cooper’s absence, previous head coach Dave Rennie struggled to find a replacement.

They have a plethora of options, but Rennie turned to Bernard Foley in 2022, who had not featured for the national team since the 2019 World Cup, after Noah Lolesio failed to convince in the 10 shirt.

Foley showed glimpses of his quality, but he may well prove to be a stopgap should Cooper be back ahead of the global tournament.

Jones was asked on ABC’s Offsiders show whether the pivot could make the World Cup and said: “Yes I think so, he’s recovering well.

“I had a quick chat to him in Brisbane. He looked full of beans, he’s going back to play for his club in Japan, Kintetsu, who aren’t doing too well.

“They haven’t won a game, so they need a bit of Quade magic. Get his confidence back, get them to win a few games, and we will see where he can take us in the World Cup.”

Backtracked

Jones immediately backtracked following those comments, stating that Cooper would not be the automatic first choice if he returns prior to the World Cup starting.

“I didn’t say that; I said he could be (with us),” he added.

“We will need to have three 10s at the World Cup, Quade could be one of them, and the other two spots are wide open.”

The Wallabies head coach is looking to revitalise the national team following Australia’s struggles over the past few years.

They were ousted at the quarter-final stage of the 2019 global tournament in Japan before Michael Cheika was replaced by Rennie.

He then endured a tough time in charge of the side, winning just 38 per cent of his games, and was subsequently replaced by the 63-year-old just eight months out from the World Cup.

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The article Wallabies: Eddie Jones slips up as he reveals first choice fly-half for the World Cup appeared first on Planetrugby.com.