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First and foremost, Quade Cooper needs a new manager, one who is about nurturing his prodigious rugby talent which, at age 24, is a long way from being exhausted, let alone extinguished.
He has no option but to quit Australian rugby and take care of his own interests. He owes Australian rugby zero. They owe him.
The fact he was instrumental in assisting Queensland secure their first and only Super Rugby title in 2011 doesn’t seem to bother them in the least, so time to become self-centred about it and seek greener pastures while youth, stamina and ability are still on his side.
Those greener pastures could well be in Japan, South Africa, or France. Perhaps even in Wales.
To a large extent the ARU’s indifference to players who contribute to their success is confirmed in a paragraph in Wayne Smith’s latest piece, where he reminds readers, “And, while we’re naming names, let’s reflect on Nathan Sharpe’s current exalted standing in the game and then cast our minds back to the opening paragraph of a story that I wrote for The Australian on March 14 last year: ‘Nathan Sharpe, arguably the best all-round second-rower in the world, has not been offered a Wallabies contract top-up next season.’
“Yet, make no mistake, had it not been for crippling injuries to Dan Vickerman [since retired] and James Horwill, Australian rugby would have turned its back on him [Sharpe] as well.”
Get the picture? Time to serve some of their own up to the ARU and see how palatable it is to them. Naturally the usual rhetoric of pride and self-sacrifice for the privilege of wearing the gold jersey will immediately follow.
Meanwhile the individual’s best interests, which should always be first priority, will instead be an indifferent consideration: the mere cannon fodder whose airfares and accommodation they no doubt reluctantly have to foot the bill for.
Finally, considering the national coaching position, we shouldn’t be surprised if the incumbent Robbie Deans not only continues until the end of 2013, as he is contracted to do so, but then has his contract further extended until the end of 2015, thereby allowing him to coach the Wallabies to a second Rugby World Cup.
All because he took the Canterbury Crusaders of New Zealand to five successful Super Rugby titles, even though his 2011 Rugby World Cup effort with the Wallabies left much to be desired in the eyes of supporters of the Men-in-Gold.
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.