Wallabies playmakers get World Cup green light

Wallabies playmakers Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley have been assured by coach Michael Cheika they will be on the plane to the World Cup regardless of the outcome of Saturday's Test clash between New Zealand and Australia.

Two weeks before the August 31 deadline to settle on his 31-man World Cup squad, and with the crucial Bledisloe Cup Test still to be played, Cheika told the pair to pack their bags.

Cooper, selected ahead of Foley for this weekend's Test in Auckland, has not been on his best form this year and was not required to suit up against the All Blacks when the Wallabies won the Rugby Championship decider in Sydney last week.

He also has a history of being flustered when playing the All Blacks in New Zealand, where he has received a hostile reception from the crowd ever since he kneed Kiwi captain Richie McCaw in a Test four years ago.

Matt Giteau started ahead of Foley last week against the All Blacks, but Cheika on Friday said that was irrelevant when it came to selection for the World Cup, which starts in England on September 18.

Cheika said he told Cooper when naming the fly-half to start against the All Blacks that "there is nothing to prove here, this is not some type of test for you, this is about your doing your job for the team in the game.

"I've been quite open about the fact they are coming (to the World Cup). Him and Foley, they are coming.

"I don't think this is the appropriate match to say 'play good here and you'll get in the World Cup'."
Source: AFP