Because at 33, the divisive playmaker is poised to end a four-year Test exile when he pulls on the Wallabies' No. 10 jersey to face the world champion Springboks on the Gold Coast.

But this is not the brash kid we once knew, not the outlandish flyhalf who fired shots at those in charge of the Wallabies in years gone by.

Nor is his selection - and the demotion of Noah Lolesio to outside the match day 23 - a sign of panic, according to Wallabies coach Dave Rennie. As Cooper prepares to play his first international since Australia beat Italy at Lang Park in 2017, Rennie makes it clear "he's earned it".

The Wallabies are desperate to bounce back from a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of New Zealand. The next two Tests come against top-ranked South Africa. Rennie says Cooper is the right man for the job, and two years from the next World Cup, wouldn't rule out keeping him on the scene long-term.

MORE SPORT

That alone is enough to spark debate about the direction of Australian rugby. But it seemed Lolesio needed a breather after six Tests on the trot. His introduction to Test football over the past two seasons has been a baptism of fire.

Even so, Cooper's selection is a shock. He was called into the squad as a training player and few thought he was any chance of actually playing. But Rennie liked what he saw, and then Cooper impressed in a 60-minute outing for a Wallabies B team against the Western Force last Saturday.

Cooper says his journey has been more about "being a better man each day" than it has cut-out passes, pinpoint kicks or sidestepping Springboks. But that work he put into himself wasn't done with the goal of returning from the Test wilderness.

"It was just that quality of life, making changes and growing as a person, getting my life in a place where rugby or being a Wallaby doesn't define who I am as a man," Cooper said.

"Before that, that was kind of all I knew. Everything I did was with the mask, or with the identity of Quade Cooper, the Wallaby.

"I just didn't know anything else. Being a young kid coming into the arena, into the game so early, I struggled with the identity of who I was as a person. My identity for so long, and all I knew was, Quade Cooper: rugby player. I didn't know how to be myself or what that was.

"When you think about the last five years, I haven't played for Australia. I haven't played at that high level. I was able to have time to go away and see what were the things that mattered to me on a day to day, how do I approach day to day as a person.

"There's a lot of things over the past few years that have tested me. There's a lot of things I've been able to learn from, some of the mistakes I've made in the past, but also, some of the opportunities I've had."

Angus Bell earns a start at loosehead prop, pushing James Slipper to the bench. Hooker Feleti Kaitu'u and Rob Leota are in line for debuts off the bench, while Izack Rodda starts with Darcy Swain ruled out due to a foot injury.

Michael Hooper is set to equal George Gregan's record for most Tests as Wallabies captain in his 59^th Test as skipper. Hooper's 112^th cap overall sees him move past George Smith as the fifth-most capped Wallaby of all time.

But today the story is Cooper. Rennie admits he knew little of Cooper the man other than what he's read in the papers. But Cooper the rugby player? The former Waikato Chiefs coach knew all about him.

"We won it in 2012 and 2013, but we lost both years to the Reds and Quade carved us up both times," Rennie said.

"It's a wee while ago obviously, but his ability to play on top of defences off quick ball and make smart decisions stood out. I know he was enemy No. 1 for a long time from the All Blacks supporters, but we also had a lot of respect for his skill set.

"I've got to know him really well over the last few weeks and he's grown up. He's matured, he's desperate for another opportunity and we look forward to seeing him wear the jersey again on the weekend.

"I imagine he'll be anxious going into the game, it's his first Test in a long time ... He has earned the right to play."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: