Quade Cooper backed by SA Rugby boss after stunning Wallabies hint ahead of Rugby World Cup
Quade Cooper is interested in playing for the Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Quade Cooper has thrown his hat into the ring to be considered a Wallabies fly-half option once again ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, despite being 38 years of age.
After Cooper took up a coaching position in Japan Rugby League One for the 2025/26 season, it appeared that his playing days had run their course and he had retired.
He joined Kintetsu Liners for the campaign but it appears he is now having a rethink about whether or not to put his boots back on and try to add to his 80 Wallaby caps.
Interested
“The thing is I never retired, I just had other opportunities that presented themselves and at the time when I was deciding do I want to keep playing, I was very mentally tired,” Cooper told The Australian newspaper on Saturday.
“So am I interested? I mean, who wouldn’t be, it’s a home World Cup and I still know I can play.
“So, of course, I’m interested, along with every other ex-player and every other up-and-coming young guy. I’m sure that everybody wants a piece of it in some way.”
It would be a remarkable story but by no means impossible as Australia have been struggling in the fly-half jersey for some time, with several players given an opportunity.
Former head coach Joe Schmidt handed a staggering nine players a chance in the position during his tenure while new boss Les Kiss doesn’t appear to have a nailed on 10.
Kiss recently included Carter Gordon, Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith as his fly-half options for their upcoming two-Test series against Japan and discussed the role.
Wallabies captain gives verdict on Les Kiss’ arrival ahead of double Japan clash
“The first two Tests, I’ve got three 10s that will lead the way for us,” he said.
“Whatever I do after that is another question, but for now I’m just focused on what I have to do with this team, and it’s important that my team know that.”
SA Rugby general manager for high-performance rugby, Dave Wessels, who worked with Cooper at the Rebels, has backed him to succeed if he were to take the plunge.
“I was lucky enough to coach this man for a few years in Australia. I back the man Quade Cooper to pull this off,” he wrote in a post on X.
“He’s a proper athlete and has genuine work ethic…and most of all loves the game! Would be great for Australian rugby.”
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Veterans
It will be interesting to see what Cooper does next if he is serious about making a return as, of course, playing for an Australian Super Rugby side would boost his cause.
According to reports he would not be the only Wallabies veteran looking for a club ahead of the 2027 term as both Bernard Foley and James O’Connor are eyeing deals.
Having this trio on Australian soil ahead of a World Cup year would not doubt be a dream scenario for Kiss in that they would add depth and experience if called upon.
