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Australian Rugby Union playmaker Quade Cooper has confirmed overnight that he will be leaving French club Toulon, despite having a second year option on his contract, which he has decided not to use.
Cooper first joined the club at the end of 2015 where he had declared he would stay in Australia to chase a Rugby sevens berth at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, but eventually announced he would be headed to Europe with a clause in his contract allowing him to play if he was selected.
Being dropped from the Rio squad, as well as not getting consistent game time in Toulon has driven him to leave the club, with Australia and the Super Rugby competition likely to be his landing place.
His performances as described by Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal in January were like going from ‘foie gras to pâté’. With mounting speculation Cooper was unhappy, it continued to show on the field and he has now left the club.
Cooper made his Super Rugby debut in 2007 for the Reds, playing 105 five games before he left in 2015. He has scored 770 points in Super Rugby.
Both his former club the Queensland Reds, and the Melbourne-based Rebels are rumoured to be interested in the 58-Test veteran. Cooper will need to sign at least a two-year deal with one of those franchises, or another in Australia, to be eligible for upcoming Rugby Championship.
Cooper tweeted earlier this week about re-joining a Super Rugby franchise, and taking the code hopping Jarryd Hayne with him.
When I get back to Aus I'm going to whoop @JarrydHayne at Fifa & in return he will join the super rugby franchise I join.. #DealOrNoDeal ?
— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) July 11, 2016
Time will tell where Cooper is going to end up, but the ultimate goal is playing for the Wallabies, so it will more than likely be in Australia somewhere.
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.