Reds rubbish Cooper exit

Reds: 'Cooper going nowhere'

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The Reds have dismissed reports that the enigmatic Quade Cooper is set to walk away from the 2011 Super Rugby champions.

Cooper has been linked with a big-money move to Europe or a cross-code switch to the NRL following his Twitter tirade against Australia coach Robbie Deans.

Cooper had criticised the "toxic" environment that had been created within the Wallabies set-up.

And although the Reds accept the fly-half is 'disillusioned' they have insisted that he is going nowhere.

"I go on the record as saying Quade Cooper has no interest in leaving the Reds," Queensland chief Jim Carmichael told News Ltd.

"He loves playing for Queensland and his country and he has reaffirmed his commitment on several occasions. Call me old-fashioned but I take him at his word.

"It is no secret that Quade is disillusioned at the moment. He's a highly competitive rugby union player who wants to help his province and his country to be the best, and I can understand this.

"We are working closely with him to deal with his frustrations."

Carmichael said rugby officials were working to address Cooper's discontent with what he described as Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' "boring" match strategy.

Cooper sparked intense speculation that he would follow All Black Sonny Bill Williams to the NRL next year after lashing out at Deans and the Australian Rugby Union on Twitter and hinting at a switch to league.

"I want to play with my brother @SonnyBWilliams," Cooper tweeted.

Cooper's injury meant he did not travel to South Africa for Australia's final two Rugby Championship matches against the Springboks and Argentina, and several in the team were reported to be furious with his outburst.

The Wallabies have been under intense scrutiny after being trounced in both of their four-nation Championship games against the All Blacks including a humiliating 22-0 defeat in Auckland last month.

They mustered desperate victories against South Africa and the Pumas and Deans is under pressure to conjure some convincing wins or face the axe.

A horror run of injuries has complicated the task, with a number of star players sidelined including successive captains James Horwill, David Pocock and Will Genia.

Genia defended the side Wednesday, saying there "hasn't been much stability in terms of combinations" and the move to South Africa ahead of Saturday's closely-watched Test in Pretoria had been good for team unity.

"They seem very focused, they seem like they're really enjoying their time over there and I think with everything that's happening it's obviously a good time for the boys to get away," he said.