澳大利亚橄榄球队长哈里·威尔逊表示，38岁的库珀·库珀（Quade Cooper）重返世界杯的可能性不能排除[1]。库珀本周以观察身份随队在日本训练，威尔逊对这位老将的身体状况作出了积极评价[1]。威尔逊表示："我会说他在身体上绝对仍有能力"[1]。
库珀已有15个月未参加比赛，其最后一次国际赛事出场是在2023年[1]。现年38岁的他目前居住在大阪已有7年，担任Kintetsu Liners队的进攻教练[1]。若库珀希望复出，威尔逊指出他需要找到一家俱乐部，并通过吉托法（Giteau Law）获得国家队召唤[1]。澳大利亚队将在本周六于Hanamozou体育场与日本队交手[1]。该队上月战胜意大利后，打破了此前的六场连败纪录[1]。
Quade Cooper's potential comeback to international rugby cannot be dismissed, according to Wallabies captain Harry Wilson.[1] The 38-year-old has been training with the Australian squad this week in an observer capacity while the team prepares for Saturday's match against Japan in Kobe.[1]
Wilson believes Cooper remains in excellent physical condition and could theoretically make a return to professional rugby if he chose to pursue it.[1] "I'd say definitely physically he's still capable," Wilson stated.[1] To facilitate such a return, Cooper would need to secure a club contract and gain selection through the Giteau law, which allows experienced players to be recalled to the national team.[1] Cooper has not played an international match since 2023 and has been absent from competition for 15 months.[1] The 38-year-old has spent the past seven years living in Osaka, where he currently works as an attack coach for Kintetsu Liners.[1]
Australia will face Japan on Saturday at Hanamozou Stadium as it looks to build on last month's victory over Italy, which ended a six-match losing streak.[1]