Has Coopers depatrue been mentioned before?
http://stgeorge.yourguide.com.au/ne...ue/anderson-cooper-turn-japanese/1444105.aspx
Anderson, Cooper turn Japanese
BY BRAD FORREST
26/02/2009 4:00:00 AM
CRONULLA Sharks' rising Kiwi star Fraser Anderson's move to rugby follows the decision by his
Sharks team-mate Dustin Cooper to also take up a Japanese rugby contract.
The Sharks yesterday denied any moves had been made, but they are likely to begin negotiations with off contract Melbourne player Michael Crocker, who has played under coach Ricky Stuart for Australia and at the Roosters.
Sharks new signing Reni Matuia, Mitch Brown and David Simmons, who has been trialling as winger, are the likely replacements for Anderson in the immediate future, while the club holds out hope for big Blake Ferguson and boom teenager Karlos Filiga, now returning from injury along with Reece Williams.
Anderson confirmed to the
Leader yesterday that Cooper had signed with the same Japanese club, Kobe, and after travelling to Japan last week, was moving there in April.
While Anderson was one of the first players chosen by Stuart last season, mainly filling a hole in the backrow, the injury-plagued Cooper hardly played a game, despite being in the club's top squad.
Anderson, offered a two-year contract worth about $900,000, confirmed Cooper had signed ``a good deal''. However he would not speculate on his own future in Japan.
``I have to wait until this has been sorted out,'' Anderson said. Yesterday Anderson's manager Lance Thompson, the player agent and former Sharks and Dragons forward, seemed to be disputing terms of Anderson's release, having stated the Sharks
had ``jumped the gun'' because Anderson had not actually signed a Japanese deal.
However, Sharks coach Ricky Stuart, after discussions with chief executive Tony Zappia, told Thompson early Tuesday afternoon that Anderson could go immediately.
Brother of former Warriors players Louis and Vinnie, Anderson was to be offered a two-year extension of his contract. Zappia said the club only briefly considered enforcing Anderson's contract and his remaining year with the Sharks.
``We couldn't match the money being offered to Fraser, who made it clear he wants to qualify for Japan's World Cup rugby team, and it was not in the team's interest to have him playing part of the NRL season and then losing him to Japanese rugby,''
he said.
``It would have been a major disruption to our fans and the playing group.
``We are also supporting the NRL in regards to their stance against players agreeing to contracts with rival codes yet attempting to remain in the NRL.'' The Sharks and Knights will play under 20s and NSW Cup trials Saturday afternoon, before the main 7.30pm NRL trial at Cessnock.
Fraser Anderson: Cut from the Sharks over a reported $900,000 offer to join rugby union.