Quade Cooper is officially an Australian citizen, at long last.
The Wallabies star revealed on his social media that he passed the citizenship test on Friday afternoon, bringing to an end a decades-long quest to become a recognised Australian.
“Crazy day, not going to lie,” Cooper wrote.
“I was super nervous as there were some difficult questions on the citizenship test and I felt that if I failed, everyone’s efforts may have been for nothing.”
Cooper, who is currently in Japan playing for Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, took the train to Tokyo to take – and pass – the test.
The New Zealand-born 33-year old’s citizenship was made possible by the federal government relaxing the criteria for ‘the most talented prospective Australians’ to pass the test in September.
Previously, Cooper’s touring schedule and stints with overseas clubs had made it impossibly to satisfy the criteria, which required applicants to have lived in Australia for the past four years and not been absent for more than 12 months, or been overseas for greater than 90 days during the application year.
However, immigration minister Alex Hawke implemented the rule change a few months ago, saying: “Exceptional people must not be prevented from becoming Australians because of the unique demands of the very work they do that makes them exceptional.”
“In truth, the law change itself is the victory,” Cooper wrote in an Instagram post.
‘Exceptional’ certainly describes Cooper, the veteran taking his Wallabies caps to 75 with an outstanding 2021, including a pair of sensational performances in back-to-back upset wins over the Springboks.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
His attention now turns to securing citizenship for close friend and fellow Wallaby Joe Tomane. The 17-Test player faced a similar struggle to Cooper for citizenship, which, according to Cooper, forced him to quarantine in New Zealand rather than his home country earlier this year.
“Hopefully he will be the next person to benefit from this law change and be able to fly home to his family and friends soon,” Cooper wrote.
Cooper was born in Auckland but moved to Australia at the age of 13. Twenty years on, his wait for citizenship is finally over.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Spot on Mugs. He’s done his time in Notso Super rugby. Idling the engine in Japan outside of WB squad commitments is fine by this little brown duck. Apologies to Roarers who have ‘heard’ me ‘say’ this a dozen times.: We rode Larkham to a test grave in 2007. We needed to preserve him by using other players till the business end of the Cup. But no. We used (abused) him in every game, ane when we needed him most he broke down. With him, so fell our hopes. We need a few strong young 10’s to share games with QC till the big ones.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Final test question: What do you call a person who came to Australia as an infant, hasn't taken the citizenship test, but has spent all their life since in Australia, the only place they know? A) An Australian, you'd have to be a real d head to think anything else B) An opportunity to be someone else's problem Think carefully Quade...
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep, pretty right there Bro, as Brad came away from the Landers, with pretty high honours, in regards to ' learning ' coaching, from Jamie Joseph, & we all know how good he is.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Obviously, DA, you don't know the full story. If you want to know, try speaking with members of his whanau. Like, Gatland?? ffs
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Why would you listen too Gatland, Raghead?? In truth he knows sfa, as I'd rather listen to members of his whanau, who I know personally, & who he embarrassed, during his " Three Amigo's' time. Great to see, that now he's really over it.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Player development fell off a tree at least a decade ago. Cheika's results in part reflect the lack of skilled players coming into Super Rugby since 2011. Looking to the past is not a step we have to take to get the future, we have to go back to the past because there is nobody else. Right now Beale and Cooper are in the mix for 2023 because they have not been pushed out of contention.
Dave from Mt Druitt
Guest
Muglair Agreed shame we have to look at the past i.e. Quade Cooper and Beale to go forward to the future. Probably a hangover from the Chieka period whee there was little player replacement development.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Frankly I am hoping we can find a few new 10s. A big indictment on rugby here that we actually have QC and KB back in the fold on their merits, both a long way past what their peak should have been. JOC too.
Double Agent
Guest
More I don't agree with it but... You sound like our South African friends on here!! :laughing:
Lano
Roar Guru
My buddy became a citizen a decade ago. Filling in the various forms he was asked: "Do you have a criminal conviction?" His answer was "No. Is that still a requirement?"
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
I think it’s a little early for a national team position but a pro 14 gig as head coach maybe.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Well, when he helped orchestrate the Reds win over the Crusaders in 2011, he became an Aussie to me. Full respect for him though, this is not meant as an insult.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Immigration policies have always had a bit of life, but always blowing in the direction of political expediency. The twists and turns have always been written to suit the social narrative, which in turn are fed by political policies and discourse. Very seldom has this political agenda aligned with proper social responsibility. This goes the same for most countries with the social economic and political structures as Australia. Sad reality that we are all just numbers or cogs in the machine making up more figures for politicians to be lauded and derided for.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep Thorn has basically achieved all he can at the Reds. He has bought on many juniors up tp SR and some to Test level and he has won the Aus SR comp. If he's a career coach it will be time he looked to get some international assistant role.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Ahh another fantasy DH. Dont deliberately misrepresent what I wrote or what I meant please.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep why stress him physically when having him fresh and ready to go will be the best for him. Im yet to be convinced he will be at the WC in 2023 as I think its a year to far. Time will tell.
Double Agent
Guest
It was grubby Jacko and I'm surprised you agree with it. I thought you had more class -like Gatland- than to condone that stuff.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
If he is going to be in the RWC2003 squad I think he will be better off staying out of the long grind of two super rugby seasons. The first part of the season was very good but then fell away badly after about five games, taking the rest of the Rebels backline with him. With his experience he just needs to stay fit and sharp, and have enough time in the off season within the Wallaby environment.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
I don’t know what the exact definition is, or where the line is drawn, but “World class athlete who has represented Australia dozens of times.” definitely fits the description.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Does seem to blow with the political winds of the day, and the laws change to suit or are ignored. Wikipedia links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Australia_policy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_affair My point is, the "life of its own". When did it start to develop that life of its own?