Quade Cooper is determined to win back a Wallabies jersey via club rugby

IF Quade Cooper has a plan to reboot his career in Japan or Europe, he’s keeping it private because he has committed to a club pathway back to a Wallabies jersey.

IF Quade Cooper has a plan to reboot his career in Japan or Europe, he’s keeping it private because he has committed to a club pathway back to a Wallabies jersey.

It may be more of a tightrope with Reds coach Brad Thorn having moved on with Jono Lance and Hamish Stewart at No. 10 yet Cooper is always the resilient believer.

Cooper on Wednesday gave no inkling he’d be moving anywhere when he rocked up as Souths captain to give the Premier Rugby club season launch its biggest bang in memory.

Quade Cooper at the launch of the Premier Rugby season in Brisbane.

The 70-Test fly half has been on the outer at the Reds for four months since Thorn politely told him he would not be required at training because the team was taking a new direction.

That call would have cut the loyal 119-game Reds stalwart far more deeply than he has ever revealed.

Everything he said on Wednesday was mature, reasoned and respectful without an Olympic-level dummy spit in sight when he spoke at length on his situation for the first time.

.@QuadeCooper can live with a 🎯 on his chest as a club footballer @SouthsRugby. All class on @qldpremierrugby. Still @qantaswallabies dreams pic.twitter.com/ePCkQgMgzb

— Jim Tucker (@HulaBulaJim) March 21, 2018

Classy from @QuadeCooper: “I see that there is a pathway back (to the Reds) from an opportunity to represent a great club like @SouthsRugby pic.twitter.com/gns1omf2ue

— Jim Tucker (@HulaBulaJim) March 20, 2018

The first thing to note is that Cooper has been dropped by three Wallabies coaches, his Toulon coach in France and as a young Reds player with a mullet so he has a thick skin.

“I mean it’s not the first time something like this has happened to me,” Cooper said.

Quade Cooper in action for his club side Souths.

“Being able to go back to club, like the pathway, I don’t think you should be shocked.”

Cooper is delighted the Reds are winning again as they approach a tough clash against the Stormers in Cape Town early on Sunday morning (Australian time).

“I’m still part of the team, I’ve played 120-odd games and I love that they are doing well,” Cooper said.

When asked if the Reds had told him what he had to do to be considered again, Cooper said it was “commonsense” that club footy performances count as they should for any player.

“There definitely is a pathway. If you want to represent your country or do those sort of things you’ve got to get down and play club football,” Cooper said.

Cooper has fallen out of favour with Reds coach Brad Thorn.

“I’m enjoying the situation, it’s a great opportunity to bring a lot of light to the club I first played with at 13, teach a little and play some good footy.”

Pursuing a Japanese or European future was not his knee-jerk reaction when first sidelined, Cooper said.

“When you sign a three-year contract that’s showing your cards ... I want to be here for three years and I want to enjoy my time here,” Cooper said.

Cooper hopes to one represent the Wallabies again.

“If the opportunity arises to one day represent the Reds and the Wallabies again so be it.”

Cooper is signed to the end of 2019 which means he gets paid his $650,000-plus a year contract whether he wears a Reds jersey or is on the bench for the Magpies.

Premier Rugby kicks off on Saturday but two byes mean Cooper will not be in action until April 7 against Easts at Chipsy Wood Oval.

A pectoral muscle tear in the gym, which required surgery this week, has grounded stalwart GPS lock Dan Gorman for the feature clash against Brothers at Crosby Park.

Originally published as Quade Cooper is determined to win back a Wallabies jersey via club rugby