The door isn’t entirely shut on Quade Cooper, but Brad Thorn says it will take an unprecedented injury crisis for him to play Super Rugby this season for Queensland.
Speaking publicly for the first time about his “tough” decision to move on fan favourite Cooper, Thorn said the Reds would not stand in his way if he found a new club.
The former Wallabies’ five-eighth still has two more years to run on his Reds’ contract but was told late last year by Thorn his services wouldn’t be required in 2018.
The 29-year-old has not trained with the Reds since and, unless another team from overseas comes calling, he’s likely to play out the season in Brisbane club rugby.
“It’s just a change of direction,” Thorn told reporters on Thursday.
“I thought Quade last year … the team struggled, his game management, his attack, his defence (struggled).
“I’m in this role – sometimes you’ve got to make tough decisions.”
Thorn said letting Cooper take up another contract was “the least we could do” for such a loyal clubman.
“I played against him as a Crusader, as an All Black. He’s played over 100 games for this club – he’s had success here,” he said.
“He’s a guy who’s served this club really well.
“Respect to the guy, but we’re just going in a different way.”
Asked if there was any way Cooper could change his mind, or if he would turn back to him if injuries struck down his other playmaking options, Thorn said: “We’re doing what we’re doing now. But he’s part of the squad.
“He’ll be trying his best with his club rugby and it’s a tough old season, isn’t it?
“At the moment, we’ve got some depth around that position – Hamish Stewart coming through, Jono Lance, Ben Lucas can play there.
“There’s a bit of stuff there.
“It’s competitive, which is what I’m getting a little bit excited about – I’m liking the competition in most positions and I feel like maybe that hasn’t been here.”
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
So Quade's reached his potential. That's fair enough as a professional player in his late 20's he should be just about there. And as he's considered to be one of the best fly halves in the country right now that's still pretty good. As to moving on who have Qld got that's better ??
mania
Guest
yet you haven't twigged he's a liabilty and he's as good as he's ever going to get. quades reached his potential. time to move on
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Most of the people who've actually watched Reds games have twigged that the Reds play better with Cooper than they do without him. Dunno how you've missed that watching all those numerous times.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
IF Taylorman IF
Bfc
Guest
That is perhaps the most puzzling thing about Thorn's reasoning for refusing to countenance using QC. The Reds were awful in 2017...awful. Few players came out with reputations enhanced, and that also applies to the other Oz clubs! Yet the Reds with QC were so much better than the Reds sans QC...so why has the blame been placed entirely at QCs feet? Is Thorn sending a (poor) message of "don't mess with me, I am in charge..." to the squad?
mania
Guest
yes ive watched reds games when quades panicked. numerous numerous numerous times
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Maybe he should have been watching Reds games. That's who he's coaching after all.
Drongo
Guest
He is a contracted player, so he is still in the picture. I predict that QC will be involved in Queensland rugby long after a Thorn has left to chase some more mercenary glory. League,Union, Australia, NZ, where is his loyalty?
MARTO
Guest
Why would he live and play in Hobbit isle?? Everyone who wants a better life comes to Oz bro....
MARTO
Guest
Robbie was a UN ZUD sleeper, anyone who continually put a winger,a finisher at 12 Pat McCabe, has no idea about Rugby..
mania
Guest
its just wasting thorns time giving quade another chance. quades had enough chances and still hasn't learnt to tackle. u dont have to be psychic, u just have to have eyes. how many times more does thorn have to watch quade panic and put his team under pressure?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
How was he terrible for them? The significant drop in performance (tries for and against) in the games he missed shows that he clearly positively impacted the team.
Garry
Guest
How many one sided games before we hear those words muttered “ we are a work in progress “. I realise that the Reds coach position has been a turnstile, but I hope they included some KPI’s for Thorn, and a get out clause.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
What's pride and ambition got to do with it ? That's a very long bow you're drawing. I 'd agree that Cooper seemed to be carrying an injury for a substantial part of last year. And he was still the Reds best 10 by a mile.
Malo
Guest
QC is as relevant as ‘‘twas and fun and the force to rugby. Non existent. Move in thank g that coaches realise he can’t tackle or play to a coaches plan.
concerned supporter
Guest
I think he has more pride and ambition than you Ruckin'Oaf. Saying that Quade was terrible for the Q'land Reds in 2017. He may have been playing injured,he seemed to be playing on one leg.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Why does he need to find another club ? The Reds and Wallabies are still paying him. If my boss said that I didn't have to come into work, but they would keep paying my salary I wouldn't be in a great hurry to go job hunting.
enoughisenough
Guest
You really struggle with any sort of reason don't you Jacko? Hey, the Waratahs finished lower on the table than the Reds, so that means all their players are worse than Cooper in whatever place you inhabit, doesn't it? Gee they should get a better 10 than Foley shouldn't they? I mean they were no good with him in the side were they? Get a grip, or perhaps better still, let it go.
Taylorman
Guest
Ken, it’s not prejudice at all. All I’ve said is I can understand why Coopers not in the squad. How is being right, in terms of his selection, being prejudiced? If anything, it’s those not prepared to move on that are prejudiced, in not accepting the situation for what it is, and therefore holding anyone that disagrees, in contempt. Move on. It’s OBVIOUS he’s not in the picture.
Taylorman
Guest
It’s possible Soapit but it looks like it will take a disaster for Quade to be picked up. It’s not that he’s not the best 10 for the Reds, he’s not even second or third either, and Thorn has said the team is going in a different direction. For him to then overhaul all that and go back to Quade it would mean that the Reds are losing big time and they’re desperate, so it wouldn’t make any difference anyway, as that’s the only way Thorn would change ‘direction’ completely.