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Quade Cooper will be playing rugby union in Australia next year, but the former Wallabies playmaker is yet to commit to a Super Rugby team for the 2017 season.
Cooper signed a three-year deal with the ARU and while he is leaning towards linking up with his former club the Queensland Reds, the uncertainty surrounding the team’s head coach has caused him to wait before signing for the side.
“I’m swaying towards playing in Queensland but I’ve got to make an educated decision,” Cooper said to the Courier Mail on Wednesday.
“Obviously, who is to coach the Reds is a big thing because you don’t want to make a call on whispers one way or the other.”
The Reds sacked coach Richard Graham earlier in the year after a dreadful start to the Super Rugby season, replacing him on an interim basis with co-coaches Matt O’Connor and Nick Stiles.
O’Connor is believed to be Cooper’s preference to take the head role at the Reds, while Stiles and current Crusader coach Todd Blackadder are also in the running for the gig.
Despite missing the finals once again this season, the Reds’ future is looking promising following a number of key signings. Wallabies captain Stephen Moore will join Queensland from the Brumbies at the end of this season, and former Wallaby George Smith is also returning to Australia, in his case from playing in England.
The addition of Cooper to that group of new players would vastly improve the Reds’ chances of a successful Super Rugby campaign in 2017.
“They are excellent players, there is a foundation of good young guys at the Reds and the last piece is a good culture which is the glue for everything,” Cooper said of the new recruits.
“I’m 28 and I don’t want to waste another day of my career because of my own doing or someone else.
However, should Cooper decide against re-joining the Queensland outfit, the Melbourne Rebels are looming as a legitimate second option.
“The Rebels have been professional and just said if something is going to draw you away from Queensland, it’s what we can offer as a rugby program.”
Cooper left the ARU at the end of 2015 for a lucrative stint in France with Toulon. However, after struggling for consistent playing time at his new club, Cooper announced his departure last week.
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.