Queensland Reds and Wallabies star Quade Cooper re-signs with ARU for one more year
Queensland Reds and Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper has re-signed with the Australian Rugby Union until the end of the 2012 season.
The in-form fly half confirmed the one-year deal at a press conference on Thursday morning, ending speculation he would switch to rugby league or take up a big-money offer in European rugby.
"It's an exciting time to be part of Australian rugby, with the Reds going so well and the World Cup coming up, so I'm glad everything is now squared away," the 23-year-old said.
"The vibe within the Reds team and the support we're getting from our fans is incredible and I'm proud to be part of it going forward.
"It's about focusing on football and moving forward. I just want to keep improving as a player and I felt that the Reds was the best place to do it."
But while the ARU has Cooper safely locked away next year, the one-year deal leaves the door open for a possible code switch in 2013.
Cooper was linked with Parramatta last year, and has been named as a target of the second Brisbane NRL team, should they get the nod to join the competition in 2013.
The second Brisbane team have also expressed an interest in All Blacks and Crusaders star Sonny Bill Williams.
"It's obviously a good option to have," Cooper said when asked whether teaming up with his good friend Williams was a genuine option.
"Sonny is one of the best centres in world rugby at the moment and the things he's doing on the field - a player like myself would love to play with a guy like that.
"To have that as an option would be great, but it's pretty far away in my mind at the moment.
"But it's something to think about and we'll see down the track when we get to that year."
One carrot that could see Cooper extend his contract again next year is the British and Irish Lions Tour to Australia in 2013.
This would be Cooper's only chance to face the famous Lions outfit, which along with playing at a World Cup, is one of the great honours of world rugby.
With Cooper's deal done, the attention will now shift to another of Australian rugby's brightest stars.
James O'Connor is weighing up the option of moving home to Queensland, with offers from Melbourne Rebels, the Brumbies and his current club, Western Force.
If O'Connor did decide to head home, the Reds would boast one of the most-dangerous backlines in Super Rugby.
Cooper admitted he'd love to have O'Connor playing alongside him, but stopped short of suggesting his signature would help draw his good mate home to Ballymore.
"If we can have a guy like him at the Reds for the next year or few years going forward, I'm sure that'll boost our playing stocks," Cooper said
"But I'm not about to put too much pressure on him, I was in that position not so long ago and it's pretty heavy when you've got teams pulling you each way.
"So we'll let him make his mind up and I'm sure he'll make the right decision for himself."
