Super Cooper predicting close Rugby Championship decider

Cooper Vuna believes Australia could win the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2011 when they face champions New Zealand in the title decider on Saturday.

With both sides winning their opening two matches of the tournament, the match throws up a winner-takes-all scenario.

And, according to Vuna, Australia have a realistic chance of glory.

He said: “I’m sure Australia have prepared well and they’ve picked the right team to move into this game.

“The All Blacks are obviously strong so Australia will have to offer something. It’s in front of a Sydney crowd and I’ll think they’ll do well.”

Vuna won two caps for the Wallabies when Wales visited for a summer tour in 2012. And the winger says the experience will stay with him forever.

He continued: “It was a massive buzz playing for Australia. It’s the best opportunity I’ve ever taken and I was overwhelmed running out and singing the anthem.

“Standing there seeing my dad during the anthem was amazing. I play for my dad and I play for my family to make them happy. Those games are something I’ll cherish forever.”

Australia have been drawn alongside England at the Rugby World Cup in a pool which also contains Wales, Uruguay and Fiji. And Vuna admits it will be a very exciting group.

He added: “Australia play well in World Cups but it’s such a balanced pool so it is hard to predict which country will come out on top.

“I’ll also be supporting Japan as I’ve got a lot of friends from my time over there. I played alongside pretty much the whole of the Japanese forward pack. 

“Some of the players have got me tickets for their match with Georgia at Kingsholm so I’m trying to find a few Warriors supporters to come down and cheer them on with me.”

 


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