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Quade Cooper signs three-year deal with the Queensland Reds

1st September, 2016
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Quade Cooper could do things that few players could do - which made it more frustrating when he did things that few players couldn't. AAP Image/Lukas Coch
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1st September, 2016
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As we revealed in The Roar last Friday, the worst kept secret in Australian rugby is out: Quade Cooper has signed a three-year deal with the Queensland Reds.

Yes, the prodigal son is back, having steered the Wallabies around the park last weekend in their 29-9 loss to the All Blacks.

For a while there was debate around whether Cooper would return to the Reds, the Super Rugby team he played 105 games for, scoring 770 points, or move to the Rebels, a club on the rise.

But it’s back to Ballymore for three more years for Quade, who’ll go a long way to helping out with the backline organisation of the team, even if he can’t cure all the ills of the forward pack.

Cooper famously left the Reds and Australian rugby after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, moving to Toulon. But he only played 15 games, mostly out of position at fullback, for the French giants, and he opted out of his second year with the club to return to Australian rugby and the Wallabies.

Cooper famously led the Reds to the 2011 Super Rugby title, and was the 2010 Super Rugby player of the year.

Now it seems he’s back to make a difference for the Wallabies, signing a deal that takes him all the way until the next Rugby World Cup in 2018.

Cooper said playing international rugby was the thing he missed most overseas.

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“For me, playing at the highest level for the Wallabies against the best teams in the world, week in, week out is the ultimate, and it will always be the pinnacle of our sport.

“Being back in Australia and having the opportunity to play for the Wallabies is something that drives me every day and being around my friends and family in Queensland is equally important for me.

“We have a good opportunity in the coming weeks to put some of the hard work we’ve done into action, and I know my teammates and I are looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead.

Wallabies Coach Michael Cheika said Cooper’s attitude has been felt the coaching staff and players.

“I am very pleased that Quade has decided to return to Australia to play his rugby. His return brings back his trademark flair and X factor but also, after his experience overseas, a wiser approach to the way he can lead the team around the field.

“I really believe he will make a big impact on the game both for Queensland and for the national team,” said Cheika.

Reds coach Nick Stiles said: “It’s pleasing to be able to welcome Quade back to Ballymore. He will add further experience to our squad and is committed to being a significant performer and a leader, as we continue to develop the next generation of Reds.”

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Cooper continued on about the decision to leave the Reds last year.

“It was a tough decision as I believe the Rebels have a great Rugby program with some well respected coaches and a talented list but I feel that coming home to the Reds is the right move for me at this point.

“At the time when I decided to leave I felt that I needed a change and to experience something else. When I was away I started to look at my life as a whole. What made Rugby enjoyable to me was I got to do it in front of the people I love the most, which is my family and friends and that I got to play for the club that became such a huge part of my life.

“For me, when I think of Rugby and my life I think of the Reds. It’s a massive part of my life. I’ve been through the low times and the good times at the Reds and I want to be part of putting them back on top.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with Stilesy. I know he’s a good technical coach and that he’ll play a big part in the culture of the team. The list is one that I think can be successful in the near future and the long term as well.

“I’m now 28 and I want to build something that is sustainable for the future but also be apart of something that I believe will be successful in the near future and I believe that the Reds will be the place to achieve that.”

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