Wallabies star Quade Cooper has revealed he will be taking the citizenship test on Friday that he’s happy should finally allow him to “officially call Australia home”.
The New Zealand-born 33-year-old, who’s played 75 Tests for Australia, had been unhappy that his four previous applications for citizenship had been rejected because of the unique difficulties he faced meeting the requirements as an international sportsman.
Yet after the Australian government changed eligibility rules to ensure “distinguished applicants” like him could be made citizens, Cooper is now taking the test again in Japan where he’s currently playing for Hanazono Kintetsu Liners.
In a tweet from Japan on Thursday evening, Cooper said: “On the bullet train to Tokyo to sit the Australian citizenship test at 10am.
“Weird feeling but it probably wouldn’t have happened without your support! Thank you to everyone who pushed for people like myself to be eligible to officially call Australia home. Forever grateful.”
Cooper was given widespread backing after explaining his touring schedule and stints overseas meant he couldn’t meet the rules which demand citizenship applicants must have lived in Australia for the past four years and not be absent for more than 12 months during that time.
The regulations also stated they can’t have been out of the country for more than 90 days during the year before applying.
Yet in September, the immigration minister Alex Hawke confirmed the rule change that would allow more flexibility for worthy applicants including top athletes, artists, businesspeople and scientists.
“Exceptional people must not be prevented from becoming Australians because of the unique demands of the very work they do that makes them exceptional,” Hawke said.
Cooper, who was born in Auckland but moved to Australia at 13, qualifies for the Wallabies through residency, with his case brought back into the spotlight again this year when, recalled for the first time in four years, he orchestrated five straight Test wins.
They included two straight victories over the world champions, South Africa, and prompted Rugby Australia CEO Hamish McLennan to say granting him citizenship would be the “right, Australian thing to do”.
Micko
Roar Rookie
You hate poms, you hate us aussies...yet you (as a typical kiwi) want to live here and are desperate to take advantage of what we and our ancestors (including plenty of poms!) built. You're just a petty arrogant hypocrite with no self awareness at all Muzzo! :angry: :thumbdown: (and you probably live in either Perth, Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane: all convict founded towns! :shocked: )
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
So here. your ridiculous response, again is as bad as your assumptions. As it appears you can't handle the truth. Poor fella!! On the treaties you again show your utter ignorance, a typical right wing w....r attitude. Suck it up, Pom lover, as it's so obvious
Micko
Roar Rookie
There's NOTHING "truthful" about what you said Muzzo. It's a weak reactionary comeback from petty and spiteful kiwis who don't like being told REAL truth, and being put in their place (such as yourself). This bizarre desperation from kiwis to claim some moral highground over Australians by citing colonial history stems from a rare quirk of history that occurred in NZ: namely a population of humans who could put up an effective opposition to European colonial attempts. This has NOTHING to do with modern New Zealanders such as yourself. There's no realistic reason for large scale treaties as aborigines couldn't provide large scale opposition to European colonials...completely different to the maori.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well if you can't handle the truth, you have nothing . Oh do we have a treaty in Australia yet?? Most other 'colonised', nations have one!
Micko
Roar Rookie
And you have nothing to argue with Muzzo, so resorting to a dopey "convict" jibe. :thumbup: :happy:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Even the likes of you mate!! Must be the convict heritage??
Micko
Roar Rookie
People get deported from countries all the time though Muzzo. It's only kiwis who have a meltdown about it though.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well mate, you haven't met many.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well you being hypocritical....again, in answering questions, & others, does make your assumptions appear ridiculous. Even your, knowledge on this issue, overall, has not only shown ignorance & lack of understanding. Now try looking at the Biloela family that are fighting deportation, & they are not the only ones. Can I suggest, if you do read, to keep away from that poisonous Murdoch media garbage, as you just might to be able to pick up the truth along the way.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“Someone could be on holiday here and give birth and that child would be an Australian citizen. That’s a loophole you could sail an armada through!! ????” No, it doesn’t work like that. …after 26 February 2001. “A person born in Australia to New Zealand citizen parents acquire Australian citizenship on their 10th birthday even if neither of their parents were Australian citizens or permanent residents at the time of their birth, if they have been ordinarily resident in Australia for the 10 years since birth.”
Micko
Roar Rookie
I’m just asking you honest questions you can’t answer me Muzzo. Why are you so wound up about a foreign citizen being deported, something that’s the direct concern of the Department of Immigration and possibly the Feds, and presumably not yourself? Is it only because said foreign citizen is a New Zealander that you’re so emotionally attached? Do you actually personally know said individual?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well it seems as you are the only one that is ' hating'. I never mentioned it. At least I can prove my citizenship, with a piece of paper, can you????? Sport you are so full of it, perhaps it's either the ' convict heritage' coming out in you, or you're missing your Pom heritage so much. Do you even know what the word ' culture' means?? Just go away, Sicko!!
Bobby
Roar Rookie
:happy: :happy: :happy:
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Not any more, given your record, Bobby. The internet netiquette is that the person making the assertion is the person who makes sure it is factually correct. I've wasted enough time doing the research you should have done before silly things were said.
Rugby Heaven
Roar Rookie
That's the spirit Sprigs. I think Ozzies and kiwis should stick together a little more, like we have throughout history on the global scale. And not forget that our sporting rivalries are just an expression of a primitive type of tribalism. At the end of the day we're mostly mates who understand each other. I spent many years traveling overseas and some on my best mates abroad were Kiwis. When you are so far away from home it gives you a bit of perspective I suppose. The kiwis have a massive amount of talented sports men and women considering the population and its nice to see the Black caps dominating in test cricket atm.
Rugby Heaven
Roar Rookie
— COMMENT DELETED —
Micko
Roar Rookie
What a load of tosh! I thought you were an Australian citizen Muzzo? Why are you worried about foreign citizens being told to leave Australia??? Why are kiwis being told to return to NZ deemed as something horrible? What's so bad about NZ that kiwis hate the joint Muzzo???
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Obviously with that childish response, your ignorance overrides your total hypocrisy. Even your assumptions, are 'factless', & racial. Is that your Pom upbringing? It's obvious you don't get people like me, as it really sounds as though your intelligence is limited. Now run along & play with those right wing extremists.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Thats hilarious! I think its great that Oz and Nz still have a close relationship
Muglair
Roar Rookie
As I said, a very poor policy outcome. However you are reading way too much into his behaviour issues. Apart from not complying with the residency issues, I think it is likely QC made one application while living and working in France, and three while living and working in Japan. It would be a bit odd, if not bizarre, if they were granted under the usual process applying to everyone. A regular Wallaby has no chance of complying with the residency guidelines, no matter how wonderful he is and even though he is representing the country overseas, resides here, is employed here by an Australian organisation and pays tax here. My point was that Cricket and the AOC have done the hard yards to negotiate alternative rules for their athletes. I was not suggesting taking up each individual case but negotiating a workable framework for all players.