Ashley-Cooper set to take centre stage

He’s been Australia’s “Mr Fix It” for many seasons, but now Wallabies back Adam Ashley-Cooper is ready to face the might of the Lions from his preferred position.

The former ACT Brumbies speedster has suffered with the “utility” label throughout his career but has settled into his preferred number 13 shirt this season.

Having represented his country at centre, wing and full back throughout his illustrious 77-cap career, Ashley-Cooper has been allowed to flourish at outside centre for the New South Wales Waratahs, under the tutelage of Michael Cheika, this season.

“Staying in the one position for more than two weeks, it’s been great,” he explained. “It’s the first time it’s ever happened. I’ve been able to build on that 13 position week in, week out. I feel like I’ve been playing some of the best football in my career in recent times.”

Ashley-Cooper is set to face off against Brian O’Driscoll in the wide channels in the first titanic test in Brisbane this weekend. The fleet-footed Aussie has faced the former Irish captain on several occasions, including the heart-stopping 20-all draw in Croke Park in 2009 and his side’s shock defeat to the Irish at the Rugby World Cup in 2011, but the pair have never faced off against each other in the outside centre channel.

When a local Australian journalist suggested that perhaps the legendary Leinster man was perhaps not quite the force he once was, Cooper was quick to refute that notion.

“I disagree,” stated Cooper emphatically. “I think O’Driscoll has the experience and the ability just to keep turning up; he’s a soldier.”

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans received a massive boost in recent days with the news that Queensland Reds winger Digby Ioane has been passed fit for Saturday’s crunch opening test.

The dynamic three-quarter was a huge doubt for the series after undergoing an operation on his knee last month but Ashley-Cooper paid testament to Ioane’s infamous “magical healing powers”.

“It was always going to be hard to fill Digby’s shoes but it’s great to have him back,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Wallabies loosehead prop Benn Robinson is expecting a massive confrontation at the breakdown come kick-off on Saturday.

The aggressive counter-rucking game of Warren Gatland’s team has been a trademark throughout the tour and the hugely experienced Waratahs frontrower is expecting fireworks.

The visiting pack, along with the hugely physical Mike Philips, will most definitely be targeting the Wallabies’ talisman and general at scrum half Will Genia, and Robinson stressed the need to protect him in the coming weeks.

“The style of game that the Lions are playing at the moment; their breakdown work is very strong,” he said.

“I think that gives them plenty of opportunity to spread the ball wide and create those opportunities. When we’re attacking, the ruck’s going to be a big area. If we have good clean fast, forward ball I think that takes the pressure off Willie (Genia) and that lets him play his game.”