Cooper: Handed number nine shirt
Gareth Cooper is determined to take his chance when Wales launch their autumn Test series against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
Cardiff Blues half-back Cooper has been handed Wales' number nine shirt in the absence of British and Irish Lions pair Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel.
Phillips faces up to four months out because of an ankle injury, while Peel has not been released by his club Sale Sharks for a fixture that falls outside the International Rugby Board's November Test window.
But it is no new experience for 30-year-old Cooper, who started three of Wales' autumn games last year and now wins his 43rd cap.
He is a durable and experienced campaigner, a player who first appeared for Wales during the 2001 Six Nations when he enjoyed a try-scoring debut against Italy in Rome.
And after a slow start to his Blues career - he joined them from Gloucester this summer - Cooper's form has started gathering momentum.
"This was the sort of occasion I came back for," he said.
"I am delighted to be facing the All Blacks again.
"I missed out on the Six Nations last season, but was involved again on the summer tour to North America.
"It is always a big chance to play for your country, but especially in the scrum-half position, where over the last five or six years there has been great competition for the position.
"Everyone knows you have to take that opportunity when you get it because if you don't, you could be out of the international scene for a long time."
Wales have a dismal record against New Zealand, losing 20 successive Tests since beating them in 1953.
And while last year's Cardiff clash saw Wales threaten an upset for half the game - they led 9-6 at the interval before conceding 20 unanswered points - it will take a Herculean effort to shred the form book this time around.
"It was the best atmosphere I have ever felt on a rugby field last year - it lifted everyone," recalled Cooper.
"The noise around the stadium was probably the loudest I have ever heard.
"There was a surge of energy of the crowd getting behind you, and it lifted the players and contributed to a good first-half performance.
"Holding them at half-time was a good achievement, I have to say.
"But we realise on this occasion if we are going to get a result we have to play for 80 minutes.
"I need to be at my best on Saturday, and so does everybody else. If they outplay their opposite number we will do it.
"We have won two Grand Slams and beaten Australia a couple of times in recent years, so we know that we are good enough.
"It's just proving it against New Zealand, and we haven't been able to do that yet."
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