Australia v South Africa, Tri-Nations, July 23
Wallabies confident on sick Cooper
ESPNscrum Staff
July 22, 2011
Australia's Rocky Elsom looks on during training, Australia training, Coogee Oval, Sydney, Australia, July 13, 2011
Rocky Elsom is sure that Quade Cooper will be fit to face the Springboks © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Quade Cooper | Rocky Elsom
Tournaments/Tours: Tri Nations

Australia skipper Rocky Elsom is confident that Quade Cooper will be fit to start their Tri-Nations opener against South Africa on Saturday, despite the star fly-half missing training on Friday.

The 23-year-old playmaker was sidelined with flu, leaving Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor to run at first receiver during a session at St. Joseph's College in Sydney.

Elsom is sure that the correct precautions were taken and that Cooper will be ready to slot in at ANZ Stadium.

"If he's not feeling that well, it's best that he just gets better and feels better tomorrow," he told AAP. "It was probably a good move not to train, but I think he'll be fine tomorrow."

One obstacle for the Wallabies during this week's preparation has been the weather, with heavy rain buffeting Sydney, but Elsom believes that Cooper will be able to tailor his natural running game to the conditions.

"Quade is a good enough player to be able to adapt to the conditions," Elsom said. "He's no veteran, but he's played a fair bit so he'll know what he's doing, [no matter] where he's playing."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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