Cooper to quit Australian rugby: reports
Updated 22 minutes ago
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-19/quade-cooper-at-aru-headquartersjpg/4380490
Quade Cooper is believed to be on the brink of quitting Australian rugby after being offered only an incentive-based contract by the ARU.
Three weeks after being fined $40,000 and apologising for his criticism of the ARU, the sidelined Wallabies playmaker has received an offer believed to be well below what he and his representatives expected.
Cooper's manager Khoder Nasser was reached by Grandstand but gave no comment, only saying there would be a press conference to announce Cooper's future "early next week".
The fly half has already signed a three-year deal with Queensland and appeared keen to remain in Australia and win back his Test jersey, but the small top-up offer again puts his future in the code in doubt.
A year ago, Cooper received one of the biggest contracts the ARU handed out when he re-signed for 12 months after leading the Queensland Reds to the Super Rugby title through both his smarts and skill.
Now the boot is well and truly on the other foot for the talented five-eighth.
His stocks nosedived significantly when he criticised the Wallabies culture as toxic in September following a disappointing performance against Argentina.
His contrite apology following the code-of-conduct hearing where he copped a $60,000 fine, including $20,000 that was suspended, and a suspended playing ban hasn't guaranteed he'll play for the Wallabies under Robbie Deans next year.
The ARU's negotiation team, headed by high-performance manager David Nucifora, has been looking to cut total player payments for the past 12 months and seem to be setting an example with the Cooper situation.
The 38-Test back had a much-improved ARU offer on the table from July to September which went unsigned.
Now, even if he wanted to play overseas in Europe or Japan, he could not start a full-time offer until August at the earliest when the northern season starts.
Australia's 20-14 win over England at Twickenham on the weekend has strengthened Deans's shaky position as coach heading into next year's British and Irish Lions series.
For Cooper to receive any financial gain from the ARU under its current offer, he will need to be selected by the New Zealand-born coach and cement himself in the Test team again.
While the ARU and Cooper's camp would not comment on Monday, the Queensland Rugby Union reiterated it is confident he will honour his new contract with the Reds.
But to play Super Rugby in 2013, Cooper must sign some form of ARU documentation otherwise he will not be registered for Queensland.
Deans's man management has been identified as one of his weaknesses as Wallabies coach, but bringing an in-form Cooper successfully back into the fold could offer a win-win for both men.
First, though, Cooper must sign with the ARU.
ABC/AAP
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-...tralian-rugby3a-reports/4380486?section=sport
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I wish he'd just bugger off and be done with it. Can't tackle, has a whinge every time things don't go exactly his way. You're not bigger than the game Quade and I'm sick and tired of you telling us you are.
Barnes doesn't have his attacking flare, but is a much better defender and organizer, and has a superior kicking game. I'd rather him in the 10 any day of the week.
Just leave Quade. See how well you go in Japan or in the NRL without everyone telling you how awesome you are every day. We'll be better off without you.
