Wallabies star David Pocock has hailed Quade Cooper's return to the Super Rugby fold as a major boost for the sport in Australia.
The pair will face off on Friday night as Cooper makes his debut for Melbourne when the Rebels play Pocock's Brumbies in Canberra.
Cooper is coming off a year playing club rugby in Brisbane after being shunned by Queensland coach Brad Thorn.
Despite the veteran playmaker not featuring at the top level since 2017, Pocock believes his former Wallabies teammate still has plenty to offer.
"It's great for Australian rugby to have players like Quade Cooper in the mix and playing," Pocock told reporters on Tuesday.
"People enjoy watching him play and he's certainly one of the most-talented players I've played alongside and against."
Cooper and Pocock share a bond from playing schoolboys rugby together in Brisbane.
While they will battle it out twice during the first four rounds of the Super Rugby season, the duo might get another chance to play together.
Cooper, 30, was part of the Wallabies' camp in January as he looked to earn a spot in a third World Cup squad.
Australian Associated Press
