Rugby Confidential: Quade Cooper set to join star-studded Rebels, candidates gunning for Cheika
QUADE Cooper and James Slipper on the move, candidates line up to replace Michael Cheika, farewell to legendary scribe Terry Smith, and much more rugby news.
Rugby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
QUADE Cooper is inching closer to a sensational defection to the Rebels for 2019, which would give Melbourne the most star-studded backline in Super Rugby.
Having been cut from the Queensland Reds playing group by coach Brad Thorn this year, Cooper spent the season playing club rugby while collecting his $800,000-a-year pay cheque.
Cooper is now playing for Brisbane City in the NRC.
But the former Wallabies five-eighth has been in talks with Melbourne and is keen for a move south, while Rebels coach Dave Wessels is excited about the prospect of luring Cooper.
“I think Quade is a special player, he would add value to any team that he was in,” Wessels told Rugby Confidential.
There are still some hurdles to clear around Cooper’s contract.
The Rebels, Queensland and Rugby Australia must determine who pays what portion of Cooper’s wage next year.
Melbourne have recruited a number of big guns for 2019 including Wallabies Matt Toomua and Luke Jones, while they’re also hopeful of signing former Reds back Campbell Magnay who is now playing in Japan.
NO-SHOW: Folau goes MIA at Waratahs awards night
STAYING POWER: Kerevi recommits to Reds, Wallabies
Rival clubs are scratching their heads as to how the Rebels can remain under the salary cap.
Once Toomua becomes available late next season, this is what the Rebels’ best starting XV should look like: 15. Dane Haylett-Petty 14. Marika Koroibete 13. Reece Hodge 12. Matt Toomua 11. Jack Maddocks 10. Quade Cooper 9. Will Genia 8. Isi Naisarani 7. Richard Hardwick 6. Angus Cottrell 5. Adam Coleman 4. Luke Jones 3. Tetera Faulkner 2. Jordan Uelese 1. Jermaine Ainsley.
That roster will be the envy of every other Australian franchise.
Cooper, who has not played Super Rugby since 2017, would reunite in the halves with Will Genia, who he won the 2011 premiership with at the Reds.
Cooper’s snubbing by the Reds and Wallabies over the past year remains one of the great mysteries of Australian rugby.
Nobody can pinpoint any arguments or indiscretions that have led Australian coach Michael Cheika or Thorn to exclude him from their plans despite a clear shortage of options at five-eighth.
Cooper was recently asked about his future but remained coy.
“My mentality has been to enjoy playing my football, just playing the situation in front of me, which at the moment is NRC, and just be present at that because if you’re not present there then you won’t enjoy that moment,” Cooper said.
“Being present is a great mentality to have in any walk of life.”
JAMES SLIPS BACK INTO SUPER RUGBY
CONFIRMING that Melbourne don’t have a 2010 Storm-style salary cap system in place, they’ve missed out on Wallaby prop James Slipper due to costs.
Slipper, who was told by Thorn he won’t be picked again at Queensland after a second positive drug test earlier this year, is still contracted to the Reds for two more years.
But the front rower wants to continue his rugby elsewhere, and with the Rebels’ cap at full capacity in anticipation of Cooper’s arrival, expect to see him sign with the Brumbies.
Slipper revealed he was battling mental health issues in the wake of his mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis last year.
OUTSIDERS QUEUE FOR CHEIKA GIG
WHILE Michael Cheika retains the support of the Rugby Australia hierarchy for now, further defeats and the growing desolation of fans would force change.
Depending on results, that could be to bring in an independent selector, or sack Cheika and replace him with an outsider.
Names that have been popping up on the radar recently include Kiwis Scott Robertson and Dave Rennie, and South African World Cup-winning coach Jake White.
Australia is languishing at a record low seventh in the world rankings after being defeated by the Pumas last week, but could sink further if they are beaten in South Africa and Argentina in the coming tour.
FAREWELLING A LEGENDARY SCRIBE
MANY of our readers will have been familiar with the work of our late, great colleague Terry Smith.
Following a long illness, Smith passed away earlier this month aged 81, leaving behind wife Sybilla, sons Justin and Roger and their families.
Smith was a long-time sports writer at News Limited, including a decades long stint as The Daily Telegraph’s chief rugby correspondent.
He covered several World Cups, Bledisloe Cups and northern tours including the historic 1986 Grand Slam.
Smith also covered boxing, cricket, golf and athletics for the paper.
Wallaby great David Campese was among those to pay tribute to Smith after his passing.
He was remembered for his insightful analysis, ability to dig out the best story angles, his friendly demeanour and firm handshake.
After finishing full-time writing, Smith continued to write a weekly club rugby column for The Sunday Telegraph and in the Rugby News match program guide.
Smith was always welcoming to young rugby journalists on the beat and will be missed among the fraternity.
JAPAN SAYS NO TO TATTS
TATTOOED players will have to cover up their sleeves and torsos when in public gyms and swimming pools while at the World Cup in Japan next year.
Tattoos in Japan traditionally represent affiliation to gangs including Yakuza, the Japanese mafia.
Most public bathing houses and gyms forbid people with tattoos from entering.
World Rugby alerted the teams of the cultural sensitivities around this earlier this year and the players are on board, not wanting to offend their hosts.
But there will no need to cover sleeve tattoos on the field, with even members of the Japanese team sporting traditional Polynesian art on their arms.
The Japanese rugby public is aware that not all tattoos represent gang membership and regularly see inked players at games.
Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 2 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T&Cs apply.