SBW: Wants Quade Cooper to switch codes
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All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has revealed that he is trying to convince Wallabies pivot Quade Cooper to join him in making a switch to the NRL.
Williams, who is plying his trade with the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, is set to make a return to the NRL in 2013 and he believes Cooper could make a successful move to rugby league.
Cooper was left out of Australia's squad for their Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand in Sydney and was criticised for his showing in the Wallabies' 22-0 Bledisloe Cup loss to the All Blacks in Auckland.
"If people are saying he is not wanted in rugby... if they think he is not good enough to be playing for Australia then I would love to lure him across to rugby league for a year," Williams told Australia's Sunday Telegraph newspaper.
"I will try. I would definitely love to play alongside him. I think he would be a success - I have spoken to him about it."
Cooper delivered inconsistent performances at last year's World Cup in New Zealand and he was booed during the global showpiece by Kiwi supporters who accused him of taking cheap shots at All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.
But Williams is convinced he will be a hit if he decides to switch codes.
"I don't have to make a case for him, you just have to click on YouTube to see what he is capable of," he said.
"He is such a great talent that he cops a lot of stick, especially in New Zealand. A lot of people have a go at him, but I think that's because he is their biggest threat," he said.
"It is more of a compliment than anything."
Comments
cdn_content says...
Do you guys watch league? You can easily hide and not have to tackle. Alot of half back will only have to make a few a game and also have hardly any hit ups.
That being said, PR have you considered greating a subtitle of SBW along with ITM, Aviva Premiership, etc... Would be a great to catelog all the fascinating stories about the enigma that is the man who has less than 25 caps, was a sub for the RWC final but was brilliant in opportunistic moments.
Ahh, even I should admonish myself for hating so much.
Gotta point out that Sharpie scored in a recent test against the AB's, must be nice to be able to score against the world champs when you are past your prime.
Posted 23:18 06th September 2012
logophile says...
This is not about Nathan Sharpe. Leave Sharpie alone. He wanted to retire. They wouldn't let him. End of story.
Posted 20:40 06th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Ruckingkiwi: it's not my fault I'm sisdeptlic
Posted 21:21 05th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
"Carrier" advice to Quade Cooper: you're too good to play alongside SBW. Your party tricks actually work at international level as well as club level.
Posted 21:18 05th September 2012
new_j4a says...
@georgesmith, did Sharpe brush past you when you asked for his autograph? Probably mistook you for a garden gnome.
Posted 08:14 04th September 2012
georgesmith says...
How can a player who can't tackle play in the NRL? Beats me! I think SBW has gone crazy.
Posted 05:03 04th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Trinats2, change sites if you do not like PR reporting on particular subjects.. that's the freedom you have when you're a big person and can make your own decisions.
Posted 01:41 04th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
"perhaps SBW could start up a... "
So now ArmchairGeneral is giving SBW "carrier advice" .
Posted 01:38 04th September 2012
isthatrightref says...
Not often I agree with the master baiter but this is pure rubbish. The top NRL clubs don't need him, the strugglers can't afford him & the expansion clubs (who haven't even been confirmed yet) willmore likely try to buy back the guys the AFL signed as marquee players for their expansion teams.
Once QC & ARU sort out his Reds top-up deal we'll have at least 3 more years to enjoy the mixed bag of tricks he brings to our game.
Posted 23:10 03rd September 2012
georgesmith says...
@ passtheball... you don't know anything about rugby. N. Sharpe is past his prime ok. HHow many Test matches has he played and actually won. Maybe your N.Sharpe's mother.
Posted 21:37 03rd September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Perhaps SBW could start up a career advice firm called "any way the wind blows"....for a season before walking out on it. Henson Haskell and Ciprianni might think its a good idea and join him.
Posted 12:43 03rd September 2012
passtheball says...
Georgesmith - are you R Simmons mother? The photo shows Sharpe making a tackle - Cooper missing it as usual. Simmons, at this stage of his career, is only fit to shine Nathan's boots. Nathan Sharpe is still playing because the young guys are not up to it. Face facts.
Posted 12:04 03rd September 2012
GoWalesGo says...
If Quade goes to rugby league it would be a huge loss for Aussie rugby and rugby as a whole. We need more super stars with flair like him, Sonny Bill, Jonah, Carter, Shane Williams etc...
I hope all the internet trolls and xenophobic Kiwis don't make him convert...
Posted 11:15 03rd September 2012
georgesmith says...
The picture says it all about N.Sharpe's ineffectiveness during tackle situations. Wallabies need to get rid of him if they want to start winning. R. Simmons is young and dynamic player. Already a Super Rugby winner and N.Sharpe got nothing to show for apart from Test caps and poor results. Kick him out. Past his prime now.
Posted 08:58 03rd September 2012
Bronco says...
I'd love for that twit to bugger off to league, only problem is - what NRL team will take a player who can't tackle?
Posted 08:52 03rd September 2012
Trinats2 says...
How is this news ?? Cooper has signed for 3 years with the Reds, so unless NRL can payout his contract, not !! with their salary caps or Williams is in league in three years time this is not possible.
Tell us PR what did Willaims have to eat on his flight over to Japan, or what's his new apartment like !!!
Posted 07:21 03rd September 2012
jmanngod says...
yeah armchair.... don't listen to SBW.... he's only: a World Champion, Bledisloe Cup winner, Super rugby Champion, ITM Cup winner and get's $1000,000 for 12 games in Japan... what does he know eh!!!!??!
Posted 06:51 03rd September 2012
5Lock4ward says...
SBW is talented but the care-free attitude with which he treats his rugby turns me off to him. First he walked out on his original league team, then he goes skiing when he's allegedly injured before his first Canterbury match plus all the boxing stuff. I'm ready for him to move along and out of the spot-light in terms of Union. I could care less if QC follows him. He's the Wallabies version of Freddie Michalak.
Posted 02:01 03rd September 2012
tha_mai says...
I am in the who cares on this. Two points though - no comment from Quade Cooper or his manager - just a throway line from Williams; also Cooper re-signed in June this year with ARU, three years, through till 2015 after the next RWC.
Contracts? who needs 'em?
Posted 00:53 03rd September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
"carrier advice"
Maybe he can provide some spelling advice as well.
Posted 21:12 02nd September 2012