The enigmatic playmaker made an impressive return to Super Rugby on Friday night, steering the Rebels to a round-one victory on the road against the ACT Brumbies.

It was a different Cooper performance to the ones that most people remember. No flick passes, no skylarking and no trick plays.

It was all about sticking to a structure, at least until the final siren went and Cooper had a chance to give it to the Brumbies fans who had been giving it to him the entire night.

The Cooper gesture  after full-time had was all good natured and what he did during and after the game proved just how much Australian rugby missed him last year when he was exiled by the Queensland Reds. It was also symbolic: he took the first steps to silencing his critics.

"I thought Quade was great ... He's had a lot pressure coming into this game to be fair and he just showed what a world-class player he is," said Rebels coach Dave Wessels.

"He didn't do anything that was made up on the spot. He played to a framework he helped create and believes in and I think he enjoyed himself out there."

Cooper kicked with accuracy, showed deft touch in attack and was a calming influence on the Rebels' back line, which says a lot about a man known for his unpredictability.

The Rebels recruited Cooper after Reds coach Brad Thorn refused to pick him last season, taking a stand for club culture.

But Cooper was the ultimate team man for the Rebels, providing for others rather than trying to do everything himself.

"I've played with Quade the whole way through from under-20s together," said Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty.

"I think he's matured as both [a player and person]. He's matured off the field and starting to show some real mature signs on the field.

"The great thing I saw was the composure. We know how good he is and how much flair he can bring, but he and Willy [Genia] led us around."

Cooper's performance would have made Wallabies coach Michael Cheika sit up and take notice. Australia's flyhalf stocks were thin last year with Cooper sitting on the sideline.

But all of a sudden he's back and will push Bernard Foley to improve, while Matt Toomua will also return to Australian rugby at the end of the year.

Cooper's attack was measured and while he was occasionally flimsy in defence, he also made a try-saving tackle on Tevita Kuridrani in the first 30 seconds of the game.

The moment was so early in the match it's impossible to say it decided the result, but it prevented the Brumbies from scoring and gave the Rebels an early spark.

"It was great to be back out here," Cooper said on Fox Sports. "I've missed it and looking forward to the season ahead.

"I'm definitely looking forward to that game [against the Reds this year], it was a bit of a tough year last year. Some disappointing stuff, but I'm having a great time in Melbourne and I'm fortunate to have this opportunity."