Reports: Quade Cooper
Related links
Teams
Also see
Reports on Monday claimed that Reds and Wallabies fly-half Quade Cooper has decided to quit Australian Rugby.
According to Channel Nine in Australia, Cooper is frustrated after the ARU failed to offer him a top contract as he considers an extension.
Reports suggest he was upset after only being offered match payments by the ARU, as opposed to an annual sum as part of his contract.
Cooper was suspended for three matches and given a major fine after speaking out on Twitter regarding Australia coach Robbie Deans and describing the national environment as "toxic."
He was fined Aus$40,000 ($41,000), plus a further Aus$20,000 suspended for two years, and given a suspended three-match ban for the comments.
After a code of conduct hearing Cooper apologised for his behaviour, which he admitted fell below Wallabies standards.
He has since been linked with a move either to play rugby union overseas, or to switch codes and convert to rugby league in the NRL, along with a possible shock move into the boxing ring.
Comments
Storm says...
@TRINATS 1 and/or 2
Cooper needs, in no particular order, a new agent, a shrink and a kick up the jacksie. if that doesn''t do the trick, a lobotomy to remove what is left of his tiny brain. Consult with Trinats 1 & 2 for his/their surgeon.
Posted 05:41 24th November 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Trinats, as I have mentioned before, Cooper is mates with a mate of mine from Tok where he was born and raised, he is a proud Maori, travels on a Kiwi passport and still considers himself a Kiwi... why don't you ask him next time you tuck him in.
Posted 19:42 21st November 2012
ferdie says...
Trinats2 - take his Aussie passport off him
If he's got one, it's only because it was stolen!
As at August 15 2012 he was in Australia on a Special Category Visa - sure it would have made news last 3mths if that had changed, still on a NZ passport, having never applied for permanent residency or citizenship, NZ passport. He would have to pass police/criminal record and character tests for Oz Immigration - surely they wouldn't let a convict in?
Posted 11:53 21st November 2012
Trinats2 says...
ruckingkiwi:
Harris is the only "Kiwi import" just like Karr Barlow is the only Aussie import.
Look up import and the meaning !
Cooper was born in NZ just as Ben Franks was born in Australia.
Posted 09:45 21st November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
@rogerramjit: good post. Wouldn't Beale be budgeted for as a 15?
Posted 09:43 21st November 2012
jash says...
Problem is one kiwi by he name of robbie deans...he makes it hard for the player...see what he didbtobgiteau before the world cup...i now believe that he is a traitor...earning big in australia and help all blacks win trophies...
Posted 07:38 21st November 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Trinats2, most Kiwis whinge at him because we think he has potential to be one of Australia's best ever Kiwi imports and we're disillusioned he prefers to act like a dik instead. It leaves us disappointed and confused that our lasting memories of Quade won't be dazzling NZ into submission, except it'll be his ability to crack under pressure and his ability to act as a rotating door on defence, such a shame he never fulfilled his potential, I wish him well.
Posted 23:58 20th November 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
@Trinats8. Not your best work mate. I don't hear any Kiwis whinging about Quade?? As for "toxic NZ" - maybe in my toilet on a sunday morning, but otherwise I' not sure what you're on about here? The AB's could not be happier - especially with Happy Steve Hansen at the helm...
Banter aside, while you've considered Quade personal stupidity and Robbies lack of player management, there's a third "mind" that many have not considered, and that is the "toxic" effect of Quades manager - the person Quade has chosen to manage his affairs. Khoder Nasser should be red carded for his part in potentially ruining the career of one of Australias recent exciting Super Rugby attacking prospects.
Posted 20:00 20th November 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Changed your tune now Trinats. Has your hero let you down?
For a guy who cannot tackle I'm not sure how he's going to have the stomach for a fight but whatever he does, I wish him well.. just a shame however that he's not with the Wallabies, he was an easy target.
Posted 18:44 20th November 2012
Trader2 says...
Trinats
Two minds!!! you have problems convincing most people you have one.
Posted 13:20 20th November 2012
Startledwombat says...
Entertaining thread but this whole storm in a teacup is happening when there's a week to go in QC's contract renegotiation. It's just position-taking 101. A shame; I for one would like to see QC deliver on something he's yapped about.
Posted 09:02 20th November 2012
jmanngod says...
yawn!!!!!!
Posted 08:39 20th November 2012
koalabyte says...
It's very simple, at test level you have to be able to tackle. Quade simply cannot or will not, either way it's a large part of the game. A great attacking talent, unfortunately he leaves a massive hole in defence no matter where you try to hide him.
Instead of looking for defects in the team and coaching, he should of taken a good look at himself. Very immature through out his career... he believed his own hype, unfortunately he couldn't walk the walk.
Posted 07:43 20th November 2012
RogerRamjet says...
I¿m no Nostradamus, but I¿d reasonably confident Quade¿s days with the Reds are far from over.
He¿s not doing too badly with a pretty solid base contract with the QRU (around A$400K), and if he backs himself to be a regular Test player a significant amount of cream on top.
The problem here is that the ARU is having to trim its cost to meet the reality of its revenue stream.
One of the problems they had previously was there were 55 players on guaranteed top up contracts ¿ ie. they were shelling out huge money for guys not playing for the Wallabies.
This has now been trimmed back to the ¿Top 30¿ which includes Kurtley, Berrick and JO¿C who can all play No 10.
Quade fell out of the Top 30 due to his knee injury and inconsistent form at the Test level - not to mention the fact his ¿free spirited¿ personality doesn¿t gel that well with Robbie Deans who is more ¿traditional¿.
Can¿t really see how Quade would be better off spitting the dummy and going elsewhere??
His defence would be a liability in league and I can¿t see too many NRL clubs being prepared to offer him a huge carrot.
He claims to be a highly driven, competitive guy who wants to play at the elite Test level so can¿t see the riches of Japan would be that attractive.
France is the other option as they have a large number of clubs with huge coffers, but that would be a big call for him to make at this stage of his career.
I saw him interviewed recently on ¿The Reds Code¿, which was that fantastic documentary on Fox Sports.
He spoke very sincerely about how he loves living in Brisbane- is very close to his family ¿ loves being part of the Reds family ¿ loves the environment at Ballymore .... etc,
Watch this space!!
Posted 02:25 20th November 2012
dac247 says...
'Boxing' can't see that, we all know quade only likes to hit ppl when they r trapped at the bottom of a ruck... no cheap shots in the boxing ring, (mayweather v ortiz apart)
Posted 01:28 20th November 2012
cayzam says...
Quade Cooper? Never heard of him. Or at least, by this time next month he will be forgotten.
Posted 01:06 20th November 2012
tweedledee49 says...
@ste490, then i suggest you look elsewhere
well while i hated his attitude, I have to admit that it was awesome watching him play last year well it was awesome when he wasnt playing against the team i supported.
I think the problem is the media hyped him up too much, saying he is on the same level as Carter maybe better. and then a few good matches he started to believe it. but then reality hit hard and he realised he was no where near Carters level and then he wanted to blame someone for that. well thats just what i think.
Posted 00:00 20th November 2012
vitieddie says...
I think QC will be smashed in league ... good riddance!
Posted 22:03 19th November 2012
hayj05 says...
@Spartacus - Simple... He's a Kiwi who plays for Australia (The ultimate treason for any Kiwi), he's talented, & he baited/kneed McCaw in the head.
To put the McCaw incident into context, I'm sure there would be less objection from the NZ public if he came over & kneed our prime minister in the head.
I think he's a complete tool but it would be a shame to see him go as he is an eccentric attacking talent.
Posted 22:01 19th November 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
There is no denying Coopers rugby abilities & talent! but they are definitively counter balanced by his off field behavior and "interesting" ego. What a lot of people seem to forget is that despite is match experience he is still a young chap at 24...there is plenty of time for him to improve all the area's he has been dissed for. If he goes there are plenty of exciting players available for Australia to fill the gap (harris/lucas/beale/oconnor)! They may not have his particular attacking acumen or flair but they do provide different qualities he does not yet possess (steadiness/defense/Accuracy).And who knows time away from the set up may let him fully appreciate what it really means to be part of a Australian team.
Posted 21:56 19th November 2012