JAKE McIntyre is determined to treat Quade Cooper’s return to the Queensland Reds as a trigger to improve not as a career dead end.

When Cooper recently re-signed with the Reds for three seasons, it effectively turned McIntyre into the guy who sits behind Tom Brady as quarterback for the NFL’s New England Patriots.

Only injuries, suspensions or rotation will offer McIntyre an opening after he was Queensland’s top choice at No.10 this year for 13 games before an ankle injury.

McIntyre’s sharp diagonal dart for a try, his energy, team ethos, erratic goalkicking and his still developing attacking game were different shades on display at Ballymore.

Brisbane City’s 38-32 loss to the Sydney Rays ended all hope of the two-time champions reaching the semi-finals of the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship.

“It’s really disappointing because not capitalising on chances hurt us in this game as it has for the whole NRC,” McIntyre said.

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Jake McIntyre welcomes Quade Cooper’s return to the Reds. Picture: Darren England. Source: News Corp Australia

McIntyre doesn’t feel like he’s back to 100 per cent sharpness on the ankle but the NRC has been a valuable testing ground.

“I’ve been gaining confidence and trying to put into practice the advice of the Reds coaches to run the ball more and be more of a threat,” McIntyre said.

“Quade coming to the Reds with his passion, as well as other experienced players (Stephen Moore and George Smith), is really exciting.

“I’ll still be working as hard as I can to get the starting spot as every player does.

“I understand Quade is the Wallabies No.10 but that’s only going to make me push harder to be better and learn around him.”

Hard-running Rays centre Irae Simone, 21, looked every bit the sharp signing he is for the NSW Waratahs with two tries.

Quade Cooper is back home. Picture: Annette Dew Source: News Corp Australia

The Auckland-born rugby league product had no brainsnap moment like Queensland Country centre Duncan Paia’aua, whose throwback to his league youth was so costly on Saturday.

On Saturday, Paia’aua tossed the ball over the touchline in the tense final minutes when kicking it would have sealed a Country win.

It may have ended the game in his league days but it punished Country with the penalty that backfired into scrum resets, a penalty try and a 50-46 loss.

For City, impressive lock Lukhan Tui’s low drive for a try showed everything he’s learnt since running around with his head in the air to start the year.

Perth fullback recruit Brad Lacey showed urgency and pace to dot down after chasing a smart kick from Moses Sorovi who had earlier dashed clear for his own try.