- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
After the Queensland Reds ended discussion with Quade Cooper on Sunday night, the playmaker is reportedly considering an offer to stay in Australia and join the NSW Waratahs.
Cooper has signed a deal with French club Toulon, but is reportedly considering paying the club a release fee of up to $220,000 in order to stay in Australia long term.
The proposed deal would see him spend the 2016 season focused on Sevens Rugby in preparation for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.
The Australian Rugby Union have already confirmed their interest in having Cooper remain in Australian rugby beyond the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
After this, he could play for the Waratahs in 2017-2019, leading up to the next Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The Roar contacted the Waratahs, who didn’t offer a comment on the report.
The Queensland Reds ceased negotiations with Cooper on Sunday, with QRU Chief Executive Jim Carmichael stating “Quade has had the unwavering support of Queensland Rugby for many years.”
“Although he has consistently indicated his preference to stay with Queensland and both the QRU and ARU have worked tirelessly in an attempt to accommodate the requirements of his management, the QRU has been disappointed in a number of factors throughout this drawn-out negotiation process.
“These include his recent trip to France and what we believe are unrealistic expectations made by his management.
“The QRU has been flexible in its attempts to retain Quade, offering significant remuneration and being understanding of his boxing ambitions and supportive in relation to the possibility of sabbatical options.
“We have come to the difficult decision that the investment we have made previously and were prepared to continue to make has not been recognised, particularly when taking into account our commitment to him over a very long period of time.
“As a consequence, we are no longer prepared to be involved in any further discussions as this will leave the organisation further exposed.”
It is widely believed that Cooper signed a letter of agreement to join Toulon when he visited the club earlier this year in April.
Cooper, who has played 53 tests for Australia, needs to add a further seven caps in this year’s Rugby World Cup in order to remain eligible to play for the Wallabies despite playing in Toulon.
However, it now seems possible that Cooper has changed his mind on the Toulon decision, and will strongly consider a deal to say in Australian longterm – but not at the Reds.
This year’s Rugby World Cup looks likely to be the deciding point for Cooper with his experience as a Wallaby under Cheika understood to be a defining influence in his decision.
There are reports that if Cooper enjoys his time under Cheika at the Wallabies, he may be looking at negotiating a deal that could see him play his Rugby in Australia long term.
ARU General Manager Rob Clarke said “We would love for Quade to continue to play his Rugby in Australia and we make no secret of the fact that we are looking to bolster our Sevens squad for our Rio campaign, however what we have put in front of him is a long term deal that looks well beyond 2016 and the Olympic Games.”
Cooper first made his debut for the Reds in 2007, with a record of 105 caps and 770 points in the time since. He was a key member of the Reds’ 2011 Super Rugby final-winning side.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.