Wallabies first-five Quade Cooper is quick to credit former All Blacks and NZ Kiwis star Sonny Bill Williams, after his heroic role in Australia's 28-26 victory over South Africa on the Gold Coast.
Playing his first test in four years, Cooper was Australia's saviour, as they ended their winless Rugby Championship run, after three straight losses to the All Blacks.
Cooper scored 23 of Australia's 28 points, including an after-the-siren penalty that sealed the win, landing eight from eight with the boot.
A polarising figure on both sides of the Tasman, Cooper's performance was the latest chapter in a colorful career.
With the pair connected through agent Khoder Nasser, Williams has seen Cooper's ups and downs better than most, and earned the thanks of his close friend after the Wallabies win.
"I hate to put my brother in the studio in the spotlight, but I'm so grateful for him," Cooper said on Stan Sport's post-match coverage.
"When things went a bit pear-shaped a few years ago, he was the first guy to reach out to me and I spent about 2-3 months with him, just living with him every day and seeing what it takes to be a good, strong man every day.
"You see him with his family, with his teammates, the dedication, the hard work he puts into his day-to-day life - not just when he turns up to footy training - about being a better man, about being better for himself.''
The 33-year-old has notched 71 test appearances for the Wallabies, but had his bid for Australian citizenship rejected earlier this year.
The Wallabies win lifts them off the bottom of the Rugby Championship table, now third ahead of Argentina, with the All Blacks first and South Africa second.
Australia and South Africa will meet again next week at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
Join us at 10pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v Argentina Rugby Championship clash
