Quade Cooper is taking nothing for granted after a long spell outside the Wallabies fold © PA Photos

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There's a refreshing new vibe in the Wallabies camp, Quade Cooper says after returning to the national team for the first time since describing as "toxic" the culture under former coach Robbie Deans.

Cooper is favoured to win back the No.10 Test jumper in the Rugby Championship-opening Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand after being recalled to an expanded Wallabies squad by new coach Ewen McKenzie, his long-time ally and Queensland Reds mentor, and he is desperate to wear the gold jersey for the first time since September 2012.

"When you have time away from the game, whether it be for your club side or your national team, whenever you're selected for that team again the hunger is always there," Cooper said on Wednesday.

Cooper, relaxed and upbeat, said the change of regime excited him after earning his 38 Test caps under Deans. "It's always going to be a different vibe when you get a new group of different people together - coaches, players, everybody from the ground up," he said. "I've been away from it for a bit and I've come back and it's really refreshing."

Cooper said he had missed the camaraderie of his Wallabies team-mates during his time on the outer. "When you leave or you haven't seen a bunch of mates for a long time and you get together for a gathering, for a beer, for a bite to eat, it's like old times," he said. "It's like you never left. You pick up on old habits, old stories. It's great times, and this is one of the most exciting times for me, of my career moving forward. And I'm just very much looking forward to being a part of the team and contributing."

Cooper also paid tribute to Queensland assistant coach Jim McKay, whom McKenzie has appointed as the Wallabies' new attack coach. "The backs will really relish the opportunity to play under him," Cooper said. "He's got a great attacking mindset. He loves the game. He's very passionate about attacking, going out there and expressing yourself. "I'm sure everybody will really flourish off his guidance."