Cooper makes case for Wallabies selection by leading Reds in win over Chiefs

Quade Cooper made an emphatic statement to Wallabies selectors ahead of the Lions tour as he steered the Queensland Reds to an upset 31-23 Super 15 rugby union win over the Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton yesterday.

A day after Cooper was surprisingly omitted from Robbie Deans' 30-man preliminary squad, the playmaker was a central figure in the Reds' bonus-point win over the defending champions and New Zealand conference leaders.

Cooper's absence from the squad for June's British & Irish Lions tour so incensed former Wallaby fullback Greg Martin that he accused New Zealand-born coach Deans of trying to sabotage Australian rugby.

While Cooper denied any rift with Deans, he showed his credentials with a game-breaking try just after half-time when the Reds held a slender 14-13 lead and added to his points tally by converting all four tries and a penalty.

In partnership with scrum-half Will Genia, Cooper dictated the flow of the match as the Reds forwards dominated the breakdown and ensured a steady supply of possession.

"He's been improving from week to week and Willy and him have got a really good combination together and they direct us around the park really well," skipper James Horwill said.