Quade Cooper may join Waratahs and play Sevens, backflipping on Toulon, after Reds pull offer

IT’S a potential rugby backflip to rival DCE or Kieran Foran — Wallaby superstar Quade Cooper will consider a sensational defection to the Waratahs.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 13: Quade Cooper of the Reds is tackled during the round 18 Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Reds at Allianz Stadium on June 13, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

IT’S the potential rugby backflip comparable to Daly Cherry-Evans or Kieran Foran — Wallaby superstar Quade Cooper will consider a sensational defection to the NSW Waratahs.

Cooper has signed a deal with French glamour club Toulon, but the Daily Telegraph can reveal he is seriously contemplating a four-year deal tabled by the ARU to remain in Australia and play for a rival franchise after being dumped by Queensland on Sunday night.

FOLEY READY TO PIT THE BOOT IN AGAIN FOR TAHS

SBW TO QUIT SUPER RUGBY IN SEARCH OF GOLD

Cooper hopes to play Sevens rugby at the Rio Olympic Games next year, but if he thrives in the Wallabies environment this year he is willing to pay Toulon a release fee of up to $220,000 to stay in Australia long-term.

A number of factors would compel him to join the Waratahs from 2017. They have developed an exciting ball-in-hand style over the past few years that is sure to continue under Daryl Gibson, who takes over from Michael Chieka next year.

Cooper saw an offer from the Reds withdrawn this week.

The chance to play in a backline featuring Israel Folau would be a huge lure.

And Cooper’s girlfriend, model Laura Dundovic, lives in Sydney.

Cooper will want to play for a franchise where he could further develop his game, so the Western Force would not be an option.

The Melbourne Rebels and Brumbies are also possibilities, although they don’t offer the complete rugby/lifestyle package of NSW.

NSW’s current five-eighth Bernard Foley is signed to the end of 2017, but on a flexible contract where he spends part of the year in Japan.

Cooper would be available all year round.

The Reds have ceased negotiations with Cooper, with chief executive Jim Carmichael saying last Sunday they had been “disappointed in a number of factors throughout this drawn-out negotiation process, including his recent trip to France and what we believe are unrealistic expectations made by his management”.

But Cheika, who is also Wallabies coach and will be until at least the end of 2017, said on Monday: “We have been discussing seriously with Quade and his management about a long term deal to play his rugby in Australia, so obviously I am disappointed reading the papers this morning — I know we’ve tabled a really fair offer which Quade has been strongly considering.

Michael Cheika’s attacking brand of rugby is likely to be maintained under incoming coach Daryl Gibson, something that would appeal to Cooper’s sense of style.

“The ARU wants Quade to continue playing in Australia. If he does eventually go to France and is playing well enough, who knows, he may well be selected via the 60 cap rule if he is available.”

Cooper’s agent Khoder Nasser, whose other client Sonny Bill Williams will switch to Sevens next year to play in the Olympics for New Zealand, would not comment on the ongoing contractual saga last night, only saying: “I am thrilled that Jim Carmichael has put us in illustrious company with Will Genia, James Horwill, Digby Ioane, and Scott Higginbotham.

“I commend him on having the foresight and intelligence make me part of that group.

“I would also urge the Queensland board to renew his contract.”

It’s understood that if Cooper is happy under Cheika’s tenure at the Wallabies, he is willing to sign a deal to play Sevens in 2016, and then Super Rugby from 2017-2019, when the next World Cup will be played in Japan.

As for the Sevens component, the ARU seems willing to play ball.

ARU general manager Rob Clarke said: “We would love for Quade to continue to play his Rugby in Australia and we make no secret of the fact that we are looking to bolster our Sevens squad for our Rio campaign, however what we have put in front of him is a long term deal that looks well beyond 2016 and the Olympic Games.

“We respect the QRU’s position, but ultimately he is now a free agent and has to consider a new landscape.

“The decision sits with him as to which road he wants to take, but he will do so knowing that the head coach of the Wallabies and the ARU is fully supportive of Quade playing for Australia, from Australia.”