Quade Cooper ruled out for Wallabies versus England with late injury in Perth

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Quade Cooper of the Wallabies receives attention from the trainer during the warm-up before their test against England in Perth.

Star Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper was ruled out of the rugby test against England just minutes before the game was due to start.

The Wallabies were completing their warm-up at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday night when Cooper injured his left calf.

Cooper was consoled by teammates as he slowly trudged off the field.

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The under-pressure hosts overcame a determined Ireland to win the first test at Eden Park.

Noah Lolesio was thrust into the starting line-up in place of Cooper at No.10 while James O’Connor was brought onto the bench.

Cooper led the Wallabies to five straight wins last year after his four-year exile from the national side came to an end and his absence leaves a massive void.

O’Connor was part of a corporate function before the match, but he was rushed to the rooms to get changed once Cooper’s injury was confirmed.

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Quade Cooper of the Wallabies speaks to coach Dave Rennie as he was ruled out of the test.

Earlier in the week, Wallabies coach Dave Rennie explained his reasons for not including O’Connor in the side.

“James missed a big chunk and didn’t play too many Kiwi games and had two different injuries,” Rennie said.

“And whilst he’s back and fit and available he just lacks sharpness around the skill set.

“Noah’s played very well and we have a lot of confidence and he’s trained very well.”

AAP