Adam Ashley-Cooper

Adam Phillip Ashley-Cooper (born 27 March 1984), nicknamed "Swoop" and "Mr. Versatile", is an Australian former rugby union player who played as a fullback, winger, or centre between 2002 and 2021. He also crossed for 39 Test tries, ranking third on Australia's all-time try-scoring list when he concluded his international career. He was educated at the Berkeley Vale Community High School, the same school that produced Scotland and British and Irish Lions rugby union player Nathan Hines, icon of The Entrance Cricket Club Michael Thorpe, and NRL prop and Wests Tigers assistant coach Paul Stringer. He played junior rugby for the Ourimbah Razorbacks on the NSW Central Coast, the same club as Hines. In his teenage years he played both 10 and 12 (fly-half and inside-centre) and says: "I was pretty much all over the shop [even] in those days."

In 2005, Ashley-Cooper made his Super Rugby debut on the wing for the Brumbies at home against the Crusaders. He subsequently played two more games that season, against the Chiefs and the Queensland Reds. He was selected for the Wallabies in their second Tri Nations match against the Springboks and made his debut in Perth.

In the 2006 Super Rugby season, Ashley-Cooper played 12 matches for the Brumbies, and scored two tries.

In March 2011, Ashley-Cooper announced he would leave the Brumbies for the New South Wales Waratahs with the contract for the Waratahs starting in the 2012 Super Rugby season.

On 2 August 2014, the Waratahs played the Crusaders in the 2014 Super Rugby final at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Ashley-Cooper would score two-tries in a 33-32 win to help the Waratahs secure their first ever Super Rugby title. He was named Man of the Match.

France Bordeaux In December 2014, French Top 14 side announced that Ashley-Cooper would join them on a two-year contract after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Japan Kobelco Steelers In June 2017, Ashely-Cooper signed for two-seasons with Japanese team Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the Top League.

United States Los Angeles Having originally signed to play for the Austin Gilgronis prior to the cancellation of the 2020 Major League Rugby season, Ashley-Cooper later signed with LA Giltinis for the 2021 season.

In August 2021, Ashley-Cooper announced his retirement from rugby union.

International career Ashley-Cooper played in all but four of the 56 Tests played by Australia between 2008 and 2011, and missed just one of 42 through 2009 and 2011.

Ashley-Cooper was selected for the Wallabies' 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and played the full 80 minutes of every knockout match on the right wing. He was named Man of the Match in the semi-final against Argentina on 25 October, scoring the second hat-trick of his career in the 29-15 win. This brought Ashley-Cooper's career try tally to 37 and his World Cup tally to 11.

Ashley-Cooper's last match for Australia was a 29-9 loss to New Zealand on 27 August 2016 during that year's Rugby Championship. Ashley-Cooper was subbed off in the 16th minute for a concussion test and didn't return to the field, being replaced by debutant Reece Hodge.

In November 2018, Ashley-Cooper was again selected by Australia for their game against Italy, after a break of more than two years.

In August 2019, Ashley-Cooper was named in the Wallabies squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Player profile Versatility

Ashley-Cooper Similarly, at the 2007 Rugby World Cup he covered the centres against Canada and Fiji, and right wing against Japan, and England. On occasion he played for the Waratahs at inside centre.

LA Giltinis Major League Rugby Champion: 2021

Australia Rugby World Cup runners up: 2015 Rugby World Cup bronze medallists: 2011 Tri Nations/The Rugby Championship champion: 2011, 2015