Reds coach Brad Thorn says Quade Cooper welcome to move on

BRAD Thorn says the Queensland Reds wouldn’t stand in Quade Cooper’s way if more interstate offers come for the unwanted Super Rugby star.

Quade Cooper and Brad Thorn at each other’s throats at the 2011 World Cup.

BRAD Thorn says the Queensland Reds wouldn’t stand in Quade Cooper’s way if more interstate offers come for the unwanted Super Rugby star.

Cooper is believed to have knocked back approaches from both the Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels and is seemingly determined to work his way back into the Reds team via Brisbane club rugby.

That’s despite Thorn’s hard line stance that the 30-year-old isn’t part of his plans and won’t be getting a look in anytime soon.

The Reds are keen to offload Cooper, who is contracted to the end of 2019, as they mull over a possible swoop for Wallabies superstar Israel Folau — and Thorn appears ready to talk if anyone wants him.

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Coach Brad Thorn in action during a training session with the Reds in Brisbane.

“If there was an opportunity for Quade at another Super Rugby club, we wouldn’t stand in his way,” Thorn said in a one line statement.

Cooper’s long time halves partner Will Genia made a renewed pitch for him to come to the Rebels on Wednesday, telling News Corp Australia he would “absolutely love” it to happen.

Yet judging by Cooper’s Instagram activity on Monday, he won’t be changing his mind.

“Work hard for what you want. even when it appears there is no way, there is ALWAYS a way. persist and be patient. grateful to be representing @southsrugby on this journey back to the Reds & Wallabies. I will not give up,” Cooper posted.

Work hard for what you want.. even when it appears there is no way, there is ALWAYS a way.. persist and be patient.. grateful to be representing @SouthsRugby on this journey back to the Reds & Wallabies.. I will not give up pic.twitter.com/pTZ1FlnOWK

— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) May 7, 2018

How far back in the Queensland pecking order Cooper sits will be made abundantly clear on Thursday when Thorn names his team to face the Sunwolves in Tokyo.

Jono Lance will make his return to five-eighth after sitting out the Reds’ last start win over the Lions with concussion.

The 20-year-old rookie who replaced him in that match, Hamish Stewart, is tipped to be moved to fullback, shunting Aidan Toua to the bench.

“I think we could manage to play together pretty well,” Lance said on Wednesday of Stewart, who is expected to succeed him next season as Queensland’s first choice playmaker.

“He’s doing things I wasn’t doing when I was 19.”

QUEEN OF THE CASTLE

— Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle will join the Kick & Chase team live on Fox Sports 501 at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday.

Castle will address her first 100 days in the job, her handling of the Israel Folau situation, the current state of Super Rugby with four Australian teams, and the future of the competition.

Originally published as Reds coach Brad Thorn says Quade Cooper welcome to move on