Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said Quade Cooper wanted to put his problems behind him and was hungry to win the Wallabies' number ten jersey back.
According to McKenzie, the outspoken Australian fly-half is desperate to play for the Wallabies again despite his controversial comments about the team environment.
Cooper has been charged with bringing the game into disrepute for his incendiary comments about the Wallaby setup and coach Robbie Deans, which reports said deeply angered current and former players.
He is due to front a code-of-conduct hearing on Wednesday and reportedly faces the threat of his current Australian contract, which ends on December 31, being torn up, or the prospect of a hefty fine.
The disgruntled star made headlines last month when he lashed out at the environment within the squad, which he said was "destroying" him.
The Reds playmaker, currently sidelined with a knee injury, reiterated his grievances on a television rugby programme less than a week after first making his feelings known on Twitter.
"While there's been a lot of talk in recent times I've never ever thought that he wasn't passionate about the Reds, about Australian rugby," McKenzie told reporters.
"He's one of the most competitive guys I've met. I'm sure he'll want to play No 10 at the highest level he can in front of the biggest crowds he can possibly play. That's him.
"He wants to showcase (his skills) but the thing people miss is that he likes the responsibility of making things happen and hav(ing) a game plan and taking it on the field.
"He likes to be empowered to do that and he feels that's his job. I've seen no change in him in that sense," he added.
In interviews Cooper, 24, had expressed frustration about the defensive style of play favoured by Deans and said that he did not want to be involved with the Wallabies under the current regime.
"I'm just trying here to be the best that I can be and that's why I said I didn't want to be involved in that kind of environment," he said last month.
"For me to continue to improve as a player and as a person you want to be involved in the best possible environment and I feel that environment is sort of destroying me as a person and as a player."
Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill said at the time that the ARU was "utterly confused" by Cooper's outburst.
Comments
Piriaka says...
Come on Ewen, I thought you were a decent guy!!! Don't bother about two bits like Cooper. He has been bailed out of Police issues by the rugby union and still is a goose! You are too good a man, Ewen to back a goose
Posted 14:34 31st October 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
damn predictive iPhone. I meant "without"....
Posted 19:40 30th October 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
Of course he does. With Quade, the Reds and Ewen are even more shite...
Posted 08:53 30th October 2012
PREEST says...
Why does QC think he can make these comments and still play for the Wallabies? Why would he even want to play for them? It is very obvious he tried to get Deans sacked with his out burst, expecting more people to agree with him. If he was to play now, it would affect the Wallabies performance on the field, as I am sure a number of players are not happy with QC's embarrassing behaviour.
Posted 07:20 30th October 2012
Bronco says...
haha, he's 'desperate' to play for the Wallabies?
What, go back into that 'toxic environment' that 'kills him as a player', wear (egad) that 'yellow jersey' again?
It seems to me Mr Cooper thought he was going to lead some sort of charge of disgruntled players, and has now found himself the only one who went over the top.
Telling, you'd think his mates would at least say something to back him up (however guardedly), but it seems more like they're happy to let him twist in the wind.
Perhaps no one likes him in Wallabyland, maybe that's what he finds so toxic.
Perhaps he could try being less of a dick and see if that helps.
Posted 04:24 30th October 2012
LeftRightOut says...
"For me to continue to improve as a player and as a person you want to be involved in the best possible environment and I feel that environment is sort of destroying me as a person and as a player."
Well Quade, it can't be worse than the prison environment that the same ARU bought you out of in 2010....
Posted 02:58 30th October 2012
BillyMutt2 says...
Most overrated rugby player ever. Hope we've seen the last of this clown.
Posted 01:06 30th October 2012
rakavi187 says...
PISS OFF COOPS....Beale is driving the Wallabies now.They dont need your toxic ego...
Posted 21:34 29th October 2012
davodiablo says...
Quade wants to be a better person. So what does he do? He slags off his team&coach,refuses to play and threatens to jump codes on Twitter and TV.
Then when it comes to the crunch he gets his coach to make some lame excuse for him .
If the ARU are dumb/desperate enough to re-employ him how will he ever face his old team mates .(who've made it clear they don't agree with him)
If KP can get back in the English cricket squad there might still be hope for him.
It seems to me though he has the brain capacity that could fit on my USB flash ram and that's not the sort of player you need at 10.
Posted 19:21 29th October 2012
StunTheMullet says...
@ Trinads - Didn't realise Ewen tucked him into bed and read him a post club bed time story each night. That or he keeps his side warm waiting for him to get home.
Posted 18:40 29th October 2012
Ramage says...
Haha I would have thought with all the ads on TV that his mum would know him the best.They usually do lol.
Posted 14:16 29th October 2012
Trader2 says...
Big Daddy still luv's ya.
Posted 13:24 29th October 2012
ferdie says...
"likes the responsibility of making things happen and hav(ing) a game plan and taking it on the field"
really? when was that then? If he has had any strength it was not having a game plan or conforming - sometimes it works for him. Hope to see him back on the field; a fine and a telling off maybe, pointless suspending him sure he's had enough time to think it over by now. Or he and "I have no NRL contract" SB Williams may both be looking for a real job next year.
Posted 11:36 29th October 2012
melkdave says...
LOLOL Well he stands absolutly no chance atm.Just maybe next time his ego gets in the way he will think a little first before saying or doing stupid things.
Posted 10:38 29th October 2012
kenzo says...
Sorry coops looks like youve already burnt that bridge now piss off to mungoball with essbeedub
Posted 09:42 29th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
If anyone knows him best, it's his coach Ewen McKenzie !
Posted 08:52 29th October 2012