There comes a time in every young man’s life where he has to admit to doing something really stupid, and in doing so, move past the follies of youth.
Cooper is at that point.
By admitting to getting it wrong (his toxic environment statement) and taking his medicine (the ARU incentive contract), it will be the first step taken towards humility and the road back to being respected.
It is from these ashes that Cooper can rise, in the process he can showcase his much vaunted talents and more importantly re-earn the respect of some and win new fans in the process.
For guidance perhaps he could look to Nathan Sharpe who was on the outer with Wallaby selectors during the last RWC and also offered an incentive contract, which he took.
Sharpe could have spat the dummy and retired but stayed on to become revered by all.
History will judge him as a man mountain not only in how he played but also how he conducted himself with humility and dignity.
Unfortunately Cooper has surrounded himself with others from backgrounds which are not necessarily noted for their humbleness.
Indeed brash arrogance is a dollar generating marketing tool in the boxing world. Some believe that brashness and arrogance puts bums on seats but where does that leave the individual at the end of the day – hanging around boxing gyms?
Finally, there also comes a time when a young man comes to a fork in his road of life. Cooper is at such a fork right now does he go down the road of humility and respect or brashness and arrogance?
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Jeez - I hope that they have him on short leash ....
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
And there you have it, QC has just signed a 2 year contract with the ARU. Perhaps he has matured in this process ....
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
And so it has been anounced that QC will fight John Stephenson (the indigenous Olympic Runner who played the race card when he was not selected for his pet event). A new product has emerged - watch controversial characters beat the crap out of each other. Danny W reported the contents of Coopers contract on the NRL's own TCN 9 last night. No top up, $13,000 per game plus $100k bonus if he played 60% of Wallaby games at 10 during 2013 - not bad for someone with a persistent knee problem. IMHO QC is up for a belting as Stephenson (now trained by Fenech) was a WA Golden Gloves champion. It would appear that QC has chosen brashness and arrogance over humility and respect. Let's hope that he does not end a brain dead homeless ex boxer.
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Maaate, I thought Danny W always gave the full story - all the truth and nothing but the truth - our saint of journalism! What do they say about 6 degrees of separation, perhaps he and Nasser are related?
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Good point Jutsie
Jutsie
Guest
If thats the case then robbie is as much in the dark with what goes on at the ARU as the players are ( I had a feeling that was the case anyway).
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Not sure about that KC - he has more to lose by going. It does depend however on exactly what message Nasser is feeding him.
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Me too
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Nasser is not accredited by the NRL - apparently SBW had to do the negotiation himself. He is a loose canoon that pleases himself - profile - Boxing Manager
Justin2
Guest
I don't think it's an opinion as such but a misunderstanding from Deans about what's actually being planned. Nucifora seems to back up what Cheika talked about. There was a meeting with the super coaches prior to the tour regarding burnout. Robbie then talked about players missing matches which appears to have been news to all and sundry, including the ARU
Luke
Guest
Like the story in the bible that of the Prodigal Son , I am sure he will return to rugby mature and wiser.
Red Kev
Guest
Sorry, but if you want total commitment from everyone to an intangible Wallaby ethos you can't put a former All Black in charge.
Wal59
R5169 I, too, am not a private school boy. I am not even from NSW. Neither am I hate filled. But I have certain standards. I have come to love the game of Rugby because, as a general rule, most participants have the same standards I do. Those standards invlolve, amongst other things, an ability to go out on the town and not steal computers, not to go to pubs and get in fights, not to abuse my coach unless it's too his face (in which case I expet to be dropped), not to take cheap shots at my opponents while they are getting up or have their back turned to me, not to antagonise an entire nation of my birth with my tweets and not to riducule my employer without expecting to get the sack. In other words I expect Rugby men, to behave like men. Cooper has not done that. He has behaved like a spoilt child. On past evidence he is unlikely to change. He is unlikely to play the house down either (on RWC and 2012 form) and even less likely to because the ARU clearly does not want him. Playing ability is not the sole test of a Rugby man, otherwise no club would have a thirsty thirds, and a raffle seller and a Colts coach and a hamburger cooker and a treasure and an U/8s ref and a bloke who puts the goal posts pads up. They are Rugby men. I am proud to be part of the same game as them. I am not proud of Quade but, if he does what Rickety says, I could be.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Yeah I 100% agree with you RK. What I find baffling is the Author 's assertion that it is fine for the ARU to continually punish a player. That's a dangerous and ridiculous assertion.
Jutsie
Guest
Isnt robbie allowed to have a different opinion on the matter of player rotations to that of the ARU?
Jutsie
Guest
I will also be very disappointed in wayne smith who broke the story, I have a high regard for his articles usually but if he didnt fact check with the ARU before publishing rumours from nasser camp then it is very poor form by a senior journo who should know better.
Machiavelli
Guest
RK, for someone who knows his rugby surely you must know these stats are at best inconclusive and at worst irrelevant in terms of a single player in a team of fifteen utilising a squad of 22. If the same team played all games over the sample with all units ie forwards and back line playing to an agreed standard then perhaps one could draw some conclusions of Coopers impact. Its a lot more complex than your list above. Clearly defence and how the forwards impose themselves at the breakdown and set pieces are probably the more important winning elements going forward. Given the visble progress - regardless of who plays flyhalf - those numbers above are going to improve provided we can keep our better players on the park. As an aside, I reckon the WBs are an excellent chance for the 2015 RWC and the number 1 spot b4 or there abouts. So I'm afraid I don't agree with your premise that Cooper is irreplaceable. It seems a very knowledgable board doesn't either. The issues as I see it are not his talent, technical flaws or the loss of drawing power, rather its his commitment to the game and the national team. ( as opposed to the next contract or playing league or boxing) .The contract is about the ARU wanting him to demonstrate a total commitment to RUGBY and the Wallaby TEAM. Whats at stake is NOT Australian rugby results but Coopers future in the game and frankly the rest of his life in terms of how he handles adversity. So, what would you specifically like, or advise him to do? If its too confronting or painfull at the moment to assess him critically then what would you like all parties to do?
Jutsie
Guest
I think its the former unfortunately otherwise why would he delay the press conference till next week. He is just adding to the theatrics by not coming out now and confirming or dispelling the rumours.
Rich1612
Guest
I am not a Deans, JON or Hawker fan but I I am even less of a Nasser fan - the ARU and the State Unions should "decide" not to use players utilising his services in the future. It is not worth the angst! It is quite unbelievable the oxygen this has event has used up. Does any other Wallaby or potential Wallaby use Nasser?
The Kebab Connoisseur
Guest
He is gone, never to return. Now can we all move on?