NSW Waratahs officials have confirmed what we all suspected: Adam Ashley-Cooper is returning for the ’Tahs to have a crack at his fourth World Cup.
George Gregan is currently the only Wallaby to have played in four World Cups.
As far back as August, it was rumoured that the 117-game Wallaby would return, with a one-year deal confirmed Tuesday for the upcoming Super Rugby season.
“Adam’s record speaks for itself and you cannot replace the international experience that he brings to the team,” Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said in a statement.
“He is an incredibly talented player and a highly respected leader, and I have no doubt that the younger players in the team will benefit from having him in our environment.
“His contracting supports our plan around managing our players better in 2019 and further creating depth in our squad. At the same time, I take my hat off to Adam because he has accepted a base contract as his return is about chasing a dream of playing Super Rugby for the NSW Waratahs again and earning a spot in the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad.”
Since leaving the Waratahs, Ashley-Cooper played three seasons for Bordeaux before moving on to play for Kobe Steelers, who won Japan’s Top League title in December.
With the Top League going on hiatus until January 2020 with the World Cup being held in Japan, a bargain basement deal for Swoop means he’ll be on Wallabies coach Michael Cheika’s radar more frequently.
The utility could return to Japan as early as February 23, though, when the Waratahs take on the Sunwolves.
Ashley-Cooper currently sits third in Test appearances for the Wallabies – behind George Gregan (139) and Stephen Moore (129).
His 37 Test tries is also third o the all-time Wallabies try-scoring list, behind David Campese (64) and Chris Latham (40).
