Rather than call Robbie Deans, outspoken playmaker Quade Cooper wants to improve the odds of a Wallabies recall by letting his rugby do the talking.
Cooper is back in the national team mix, ending six months of strained negotiations with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) by signing a two-year deal, reportedly worth $800,000 a season.
Sealing an ARU deal was difficult, especially with Cooper preparing for a February 8 professional boxing debut and receiving a French rugby offer that would have made him one of the world’s highest-paid players.
The Queensland playmaker’s days under Deans appeared numbered when he described the Wallabies’ culture as “toxic”, resulting in a $40,000 fine and a downgraded ARU offer that was later renegotiated.
However, Cooper said regaining top form – not offering an olive branch to Deans – was his priority.
Asked how he could improve relations with Deans, Cooper said: “It is not something I have to go out and improve.
“I have a job to do. His job is to coach and get the best out of the team.
“Hopefully, the better I play for Queensland, the more opportunities I get there (Wallabies).”
Asked if he would like to play under Deans again, Cooper said: “Of course – he’s the coach.
“If I get the opportunity to play for Australia again, we will go about it like any other player and coach.”
Cooper did not believe his hefty fine would place him at the back of the queue.
“It’s a fine. The performance is what matters – that beats everything else,” he said.
The five-eighth committed to a new three-year deal with the Reds in June but that was dependent on signing with the ARU.
Talks with the ARU were on the brink of collapse late last month when he was offered a new incentive-based deal.
But Cooper said he never seriously contemplated walking away from Australian rugby after seeing the Reds’ hierarchy fight hard to renegotiate his ARU deal.
“I look forward to playing my best on the paddock and show them (Reds) how much their support means to me,” he said.
He also looked forward to combining one day for the Wallabies with new NSW Waratahs signing, the sport-hopping Israel Folau.
“To have a player of his stature in rugby union is only good for the game. I am sure he will go well,” he said.
“And I think his aerial skills will be superior to most rugby players at the moment.”
Jock M
Guest
Most of today's so called stars wouldn't have got a run in the amateur era. And the players were much better mannered and more intelligent as well. What a debacle and crying shame Rugby has become.
Sage
Guest
Not true. Quade is of interest more than you may think. Planet Rugby et al.
Sage
Guest
Goodness me. I didn't even realise there was any slime
Sage
Guest
You're a patient man J2
AndyS
Guest
Hard to avoid the obvious conclusion that everyones life would have been a lot more peaceful if he had just let his rugby do the talking a few months ago. Hope he can indeed manage it this time...
Justin2
Guest
Yes he has been such an ordinary 10 since he debuted they just kept picking him. I recall all the media baying for his blood constantly because he was so poor so often! Your admitted dislike of cooper clouds your memory me thinks...
Justin2
Guest
Tackle - brilliant stuff. Do some research and then come back and argue he facts. You couldn't make it up, seriously :) :)
IronAwe
Guest
Wait, wasn't it Beale who lost his license and then got busted for driving without it?
IronAwe
Guest
This. Love him or hate him, who else do we have?
Chivas
Guest
Add JOC to that, he really did have the x factor before he went down... more than QC in my opinion.... I think the backline is stuttering too, but they all need to take responsibility. Everyone talks how great the AB's are. Wayne Smith had a melt down and quit in the middle of his tenure, because he was struggling to get a stuttering backline going and they spent the next number of years getting it right. So they have the cattle, canthey come together inboth defence and attack is the question. I think it is easy to be one or other, but to win games in this highly competitive environment you need both. I am looking forward to the next couple of years to see how this team matures.
Hightackle
Guest
Yeah what Aust rugby needs is a guy who often plays poorly at international level, turns his back on the Wallaby jumper, trashes the team on social media and tv, drives without a liscence, steals lap tops, threatens to go elswhere becuz the wallaby environment is "toxic" and cant tackle. See kids, if you stick at it, you could be like Quade and hey sponsors! Come and support guys like Quade. No the game is better off without Quade Cooper as he is but they are hoping he will change.
Hightackle
Guest
The Aust team does not win more becuz of Quade. They may have won more with him in the team but thats not as a result of him being in the team. Why does this stat not work? In 2010, 2011 & 2012 NZ lost more with McCaw and Carter in the team. Perhaps they should drop them if your stat means something. Its a nothing stat. What counts is how they play and Cooper has been ordinary in the majority of internationals since 2010.
Scot Free
Guest
Cooper might add some desperately-needed spark to what's become the most boring back line ever. With Genia inside and Tapuai and Ioane outside, it's about the best we can possibly do against the Lions. Beale is no competition
Hightackle
Guest
Sorry I think when Aust won against SA cooper was there...playing rubbish AGAIN.
Hightackle
Guest
Quade very rarely plays well at international level. Is that wrong? Dont try and pass this off as hate. Argue the facts. Hes been dropped, had the place kicking taken from him, played rubbish more times than I can count. His defence is so bad they hide him away from the play. Who else does that? His WC was horrible. Yet this is just hate? No its called honest evaluation, you guys should try it.
Hightackle
Guest
Who said it was Quades fault? He played crap. Does that not count if others did too?
Hightackle
Guest
The Wallabies win more with Quade? Really, where did you get that "fact" from? I pretty sure Aust does just fine without Quade. My personal dislike for Quade doesnt make me think he didnt play well against NZ or SA this year or played rubbish in the WC. Thats a fact no matter how your skewed view is clouded by your like for Quade. He has really underperformed at test level. It is not a fact that Aust wins more with him than without him. Thats simply not true. Are you gonna tell me Quade has often played well for Aust when it mattered? Aust won 6 in a row against Wales without him, drew with NZ without him, beat SA without him
Chivas
Guest
Is that your expert opnion? It's ok J2 I know your opinion on both these two, doesn't make it relevant as it is not an either or situation.
Chivas
Guest
It's interesting though J2 watching the mechanism and strings that get pulled in these negotiations. It's all a bit of one step, two step, some smoke and mirrors, a bluff or two... ultimately who wants it more. Personally I think you have to trust that the right deciion has been made. They are all professionals and would weigh it up as a business transaction and the value it is to themselves and that is on all sides of he tansaction. I could imagne with QC there were a few more considerations, but it seems the majority of the ARU and coacheshave faith in what he can deliver, else I imagine he wouldn't have got what he got.
Chivas
Guest
It's a team game Post... as a team communication is also vitally important.... isn't it? He wants to be part of the leadersip group, but doesn't know how to communicate when things go pear shaped and doesn't see the need to. But I also think that is reading too much into it. It's just a press rlease. am sure none of us would get it right and has an IQ of about 20 and Khoder, well he doesn't really care. But that said, it is also ok for people to feel disappointed in his actions without the need to label people anti or pro asmany here do. And if you think to broker peace with a coach who has reached out and offered an olive branch on multiple occassions is kissing up... well perhaps that is why he finds himself where he is, but fortunately these are your words and not his. Anyway, decisions have ben made. He is back. Let's see if he is really a proud Wallaby or just a yellow jersey wearer. I hope he proves to be the former.