Australia playmaker Quade Cooper played his first competitive match for Kintetsu Liners after a long-term achilles injury, but his comeback was short lived.
Cooper, who is in a race against time to avoid being ruled out of this year’s World Cup, lasted for just one minute as the regular season of Japan Rugby League One was completed.
The 35-year-old Wallaby star left the field at the first stoppage in play, straight after the kick-off at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka on Sunday.
His substitution was tactical as due to the competition rules, a player must feature in at least one game of the league campaign to be eligible for the two-legged ‘Replacement Battle’.
Cooper, who completed Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies camp last week, was not hurt in contact and jogged off the pitch uninhibited.
La vuelta de Quade Cooper, que salió riéndose prácticamente después del kick-off.
Con este puñado de segundos quedó habilitado para jugar la etapa de los play-off para no descender. ?? https://t.co/oJptdLEHqE pic.twitter.com/lpUuMi3bBK
— Periodismo Rugby (@Perrugby) April 24, 2023
QC登場!#花園近鉄ライナーズ#WeAreLINERS pic.twitter.com/W1cXa0GPIK
— 花園近鉄ライナーズ(公式)??? (@liners_players) April 22, 2023
Photo: @liners_players/Twitter