Quade Cooper denies rumours about move to Rugby League
Quade Cooper has denied rumours that he plans on leaving the Australian Rugby Union, for a spot in Australia’s National Rugby League.
Reports indicated that Cooper was set to join the NRL at the start of next season. Joining the NRL would make Cooper ineligible for next year’s Rugby World Cup, as well as indicate a departure from his current Union club the Reds.
Cooper denied allegations that he would be leaving at the start of next year, nevertheless did mention that he would entertain the idea of joining the NRL later in his career.
Cooper said “I’ve always had (league) in the back of my mind because I like watching league and I loved playing, but at the same time I’ve enjoyed rugby and I haven’t really achieved too much in the game as yet that I want to achieve. I’ve been chased a little bit but at the same time it’s pretty hard to leave when you haven’t achieved anything.”
Cooper departing for the NRL would not come as a surprise as the 22-year-old played both League and Union up until 17 years old.
Cooper is enormously important to the growth of the Australian Wallabies program, as the youngster recently earned a full time spot as the team’s number 10. Moreover, Cooper has been sorely missed over the past two Tri-Nations tests against New Zealand, as the Wallabies fell twice in two outings with Cooper out with a two-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Morne Steyn.
In addition, the New Zealand-born star was named Super 14’s player of the season, after putting on an incredible display this year with the Reds.
Australia Rugby Union head John O’Neill said of Cooper’s future with the Union, “He’s got the world in his feet in our game, he’s got a World Cup next year, he’s a player we want to retain and we’re confident in the coming week or so we’ll have satisfactory deal done.”
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