Quade Cooper says he’s hurting after being unable to join the Wallabies on the spring tour over a wrangle with his Japanese club team.
Cooper took the decision not to join the Wallabies for matches against Scotland, Wales and England.
Australia had the right to call up the trio but the players asked them not to enforce regulation 9.
Cooper said he was taking positives out of a tough situation.
“I wouldn’t have been able to admit being hurt in the past so this was hard for me to do but feels great to be able to be honest and vulnerable, ” Cooper wrote on social media.
“My growth as a man is being able to admit I’m hurt.
“It hurts that I won’t be on tour to Europe with my teammates, especially after experiencing so much growth and overcoming challenges each week.
“I’m hurt that I couldn’t please everyone and keep both my employer and country happy. But although I am hurting now, the happiness I feel from my journey to this point far outweighs the hurt.
“I am so thankful to everyone, from my club Kintetsu Liners for allowing me to play for Australia again to [Rennie] and the Wallabies staff for inviting me in to what proved to be an incredible atmosphere and for all your efforts the past few months but most of all to my teammates and brothers.
“We challenge each other to be better each day and as a result we saw enormous growth as both men and as athletes. Thank you for making the last few months possible.
“This journey has no finish line and my efforts to continue to walk this path will not change. What’s meant to be will be.”
Rennie had sympathy with Cooper’s stance.
“That’s their primary employer, isn’t it?” said Rennie. “Ideally we want guys who are desperate to be Wallabies.
“He’s a good man. He’s contributed massively on and off the field. He’s torn – he wants to be here. He wants to be a Wallaby, but he feels loyalty to his club.
“He’s made a decision he feels is the right one. He’s made my decision that’s best for him.
“I think if he had the support of the club and the blessing of the club he would have come. But he hasn’t.
“He wanted the blessing of the club, we talked about some flexibility around the tour dates but in the end he felt he needed to be there supporting his club, his employer heading into their season.
“We’ve accepted that and we’ve moved on.
“What this highlights is discussing it with their clubs early would have been important.”
Warwick Todd
Guest
No one does snarky quite like Jane Austen of the Gold Coast.
Double Agent
Guest
I can think of someone. Can't say his name though. :shocked:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ The first duty of a RA director or employee is to protect the sport of rugby. The second duty is to protect the players.” Yes Mugs. Men, or women, in suits, attributing administrative dysfunction to players is a catty tactic. And it unnecessarily invites sick people out from under dark rocks to reminisce about historical hatreds. Players play. Administrators administer. And cats scratch to be let in to litter the litter box.
Double Agent
Guest
Jeez I hope not! :shocked:
Gustofoe
Roar Rookie
Cheer up Quade. You can now call yourself an Australian wherever you choose to play your footy.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The Roar mods might need a breathalyser, DA?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ Has any Wallaby fan bucketed on the wallaby cause more than Malo in the history of the game?”
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Khoder Nasser dictating copy to the RA hating cyphers at The Australian in yesterday's paper. Such a shame that Cooper is allowing/empowering his agent to carry on with this stuff. I have long admired Quade's play and was thrilled with his Wallaby return. Amazing story of dedication as seizing a late opportunity.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
The contents of the recent SMH and Australian articles are distressing. I loved rugby growing up. I played rugby when there was some numerical evidence of being grown up. It has been a positive force in shaping me and my life. When I did grow up I continued to support the game through membership, attendance and a little volunteering. Attendance and support for fun, membership and volunteering so that other young men (and now wonderfully young women) can receive the same benefits as me. Rugby is a sport and all decisions should revolve around players, whatever age and skill level. The first duty of a RA director or employee is to protect the sport of rugby. The second duty is to protect the players. I don’t accept that those two things are often in conflict, with the exception of players doing something like assaulting officials, or members of the public who do not support their team. Most everything else is human error, and that is where the game needs to step in. For many players it is rugby that continues to support them while they find a better way. RA are serial offenders. The game and its players always fall behind their own interests and reputations, as well as those of the broadcasters and sponsors that pay their salaries.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I missed that article and caught up on it this morning, together with one by Robinson in the SMH. What a shambles. More lies and disinformation though. Marinos and McLennan moved heaven and earth but were defeated by something vague like “small minded provinces”? Include Waugh and Herbert who are on the record and you have to assume there is board support for flexibility with overseas players. Yet Johnson just charges off on his own crusade? All five “small minded” provinces would have to band together to overturn the board. That would be unpopular with at least half the rugby fraternity, and create an enormous rift with the players. The cloud of BS is now too thick to see through.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Oh you so funny - I larf big haha
WEST
Roar Guru
Scotland actually look pretty good! 60-14 thrashing! Good warm up for Scotland.. While the Wallabies again sit around cold, Scotland have a good match to prepare for the Aussies. MURRAYFIELD Will be humming next week.
No Arms
Roar Rookie
There’s no way our D is letting them through like this
No Arms
Roar Rookie
watching Scotland v Tonga im feeling optimistic for the ‘young’ Wallabies!!
Double Agent
Guest
"poster who does not have the time or the wit to make clear what he is saying." Oh the irony!!!! :laughing: :laughing:
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
The ‘Prem’ is slang for the English Premiership Rugby here in the U.K. it’s called the Gallagher Premiership. I live in London. It’s a very common expression. No worries if you haven’t heard it Mick from GC but don’t come at me because you don’t know anything outside of Oz rugby.
Double Agent
Guest
Time for beddy byes now Mick. It's been a big day. :laughing: :laughing:
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Shhh! I was trying to social distance myself from that Mick bloke up the page at 1:28pm under Little Havanna - I've seen him here before, comes from poor stock on the Gold Coast ... :unhappy:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Nah, he sent out a sarcastic sooky tweet following the decision, which is what I was referring to.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Don't be shy Mick.