It's simple really....his Manager realises that nothing would get up the ARU's back as much as their superstar 5/8 moving to the NRL. Greater leverage on offer than a potential move to France IMHO.
And at any rate, Cooper has plenty of time to go to France and earn the big bucks.
I think that he will play NRL one day but I would be very surprised if he joins next year. You guys need to remember that even though he does rate League, he has been playing Rugby for a lot longer and the lure of a World Cup for Rugby players is the equivalent of playing SOO for League players. If Cooper was to leave - a year out from a World Cup, after being so heavily supported through his off-field dramas this year by the ARU and QRU - he would burn some serious bridges.
If his move to the NRL subsequently failed, he would find that he might not be welcomed back with open arms.
It is definitely gutsy of him not signing anything before the South African tour as the Springboks are machines over there and they have some massive units - backrowers are all over 6'5" and 110kgs+.
Oone of which runs 100m in 10.8 secs - Pierre Spies....he would be great at NRL - check this clip out.....he is a beast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp7Tb5eKfHM
If QC gets injured or has a couple of shockers then all of a sudden his bargaining power is gone. But he has every chance of ripping it up which would mean the opposite.
Interesting times ahead and obviously still some uncertainty. I reckon it is 70/30 in favour of Rugby....particularly given he is rooming with Will Genia and going overseas on tour for 2 weeks.)