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.
joeb
Guest
No contest, Ritchie in less than one round. At least then he'd be back for the Wallabies.
joeb
Guest
if he didn't, he's going to in the ring, :(
joeb
Guest
Too small for Big Bad Thorn's. More like Ma'a Nonu's, or Carter's, or even Smith's.
Damo
Guest
…l'd love to see Quade and Ritchie go head to head in the ring next February.
harryonthecoast
Guest
Whatever....I just hope he felt it.
Jerry
Guest
Cause grabbing someone's shirt is the general reaction to being hit in the face?
Jutsie
Guest
LOL u'd be surprised how often they use this pic for articles about sir richie.
Tui
Guest
I would say the photo has been photoshopped and it was actually Brad Thorn's forearm
redsnut
Guest
Misha, how do you know it was that way around, it could well have been the opposite and that was why Cooper held the shirt.
joeb
Guest
"Richie has used his jedi mind trick on everyone." Either that, or the Abode Roar artists have been working overtime. The latter I'd venture, though you'd hardly pick the Roar crew for comedians.
Jerry
Guest
You think that's bad, no one can even recall that forearm above even happening. Richie has used his jedi mind trick on everyone.
joeb
Guest
i remember the recent Higgers one, just a brush really, but the Quade one has faded from memory...
Jerry
Guest
About the same amount as Cooper got for kneeing him in the face.
joeb
Guest
How many weeks did Ritchie cop for that forearm to Quade's jaw considering Simmons copped 8 for a recent similar indiscretion to a Les Bleus chap...? :(
stainlesssteve
Guest
Quade beats Richie over the fist with his mouth
joeb
Guest
''Cooper illegally holds onto McCaws jersey (skillfully cut off in photo supplied)'' Tit for tat i'd say. :(
joeb
Guest
''when your eyes are closed or they’ll knick your fillings!'' That's worse than a story i read about Buddy Guy having to chain his guitar to his ankle whenever he plays Chicago in order to thwart the locals from making off with it, but then he reakised the possibility of his leg going with it. No win situation.
joeb
Guest
''Re: the McCaw Cooper photo.'' - chosen by the Roar's editorial staff; obvously someone's got a sense of humour... ''Don’t we all want to do just that to Quade at the moment?'' - nup :( ''If only to knock some sense into the poor boy.'' - as we know the 2012 season is all but over. He's 24, turns 25 next April, so let's say if he's lucky he's got 8 or 9 good years left in him, say up to age 33 or 34 in which to make his money from playing before then going into commentary or coaching, so he's got to look out for no.1, himself. The reason i say he needs a new manager is this boxing idea is insane.
Misha
Guest
Photo caption should read - Ritchie McCaw pushes Quade Cooper away after Cooper illegally holds onto McCaws jersey (skillfully cut off in photo supplied)
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Let Quade go back to NZ Like with any Kiwis, you have to keep your mouth shut when your eyes are closed or they'll knick your fillings!