Adam Ashley-Cooper

A cheerful character and grand utility who is capable in every position in the backline bar halfback, ADAM ASHLEY-COOPER made a fine fist of his first full season as Australia’s regular fullback, after taking over the position from the injured Cameron Shepherd. After appearing in eight of the Brumbies 13 matches in the Investec Super 14, Ashley-Cooper starred with the quality of his defence, as Australia’s stoic last line during the stunning 34-19 upset of the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium in July.

He then followed that up a week later by grabbing his second Test try against New Zealand, with the Eden Park score backing up the try he had scored in his first run on Test for the Wallabies, when Australia beat New Zealand 20-15 in Melbourne in 2007. Ashley-Cooper underlined his versatility during a splendid Spring Tour which saw him score Australia’s only try from fullback during the Cook Cup Test win at Twickenham, and follow it up a week later with an accomplished performance from centre against France in Paris.

He then ended the year with a man of the match performance from inside centre against the Barbarians. The 11 caps Ashley-Cooper gained in 2008, added to the 11 internationals he featured in (of the 12 Australia played) in 2007. That work load had followed a 2007 Super rugby series where Ashley-Cooper played in every match for the Brumbies and scored a memorable 70 metre try against the Highlanders which was the Investec Super 14 Try of the Year. Despite being on the sidelines with a hamstring injury for most of 2005, Ashley-Cooper’s form in Australia’s Under 21 side in Argentina led to his shock Wallabies debut against South Africa, when he was called onto the Wallabies bench ten minutes prior to kick-off when Elton Flatley was ruled out. 

2001   Graduated from Berkley Vale High School.

2002   Made his NSW Premier Rugby debut for Norths.

2004   Joined the Brumbies on a Development Contract, training throughout the Super 12 pre-season alongside Wallaby stars Stirling Mortlock and Matt Giteau before touring Scotland with the Australian Under 21s team. He also represented the Australian Sevens team.

2005   Signed a full-time contract with the Brumbies and made his Super 12 debut on the wing against the Crusaders at Canberra Stadium in the opening match of the season. He went on to earn three caps for the Brumbies despite suffering a lengthy layoff with an ankle injury. He received a surprise call up to the Wallaby squad when injuries had taken apart the Wallaby backline, making his Test debut as a replacement against the Springboks at Subiaco Oval.

2006   Earned nine more caps for the Brumbies, establishing himself in the fullback role before being selected in the 33-man Wallaby squad for the domestic Tests and Tri Nations. He played in both fixtures for Australia A against Fiji, forcing his way into the 37-man squad for the seven-match Spring Tour of the UK, Ireland and Italy.

2007   Played in all 13 matches for the Brumbies, scoring two tries while splitting time between fullback and outside centre. Selected in the Wallabies squad and played in 11 of 12 Tests, scoring four tries including one in his Tri Nations series debut against New Zealand in Melbourne.

2008   Appeared in 11 of Australia’s 14 Tests, cementing himself as the country’s first choice fullback after injury removed Cameron Shepherd. Ashley-Cooper broke his hand shortly after scoring Australia’s only try against New Zealand at Eden Park, but returned in time to start the Wallabies final two Tri-Nations encounters. He then featured at fullback, centre and inside centre during the Spring Tour, scoring Australia’s only try in the 28-14 Cook Cup Test win over England at Twickenham.