Quade Cooper reveals desire to resign with Melbourne Rebels

With the Rebels on the cusp of a historic Super Rugby finals berth, playmaker Quade Cooper has a message for the club’s hierarchy.

Quade Cooper wants to stay in Melbourne. Picture: AAP

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Quade Cooper has declared his desire to remain a Melbourne Rebel on the eve of a potential first finals foray for the club in its ninth year.

The 31-year-old playmaker with the magical hands has rebooted a career that was stalled at club level in Brisbane last year, and as he explained, Melbourne has given him that chance.

Cooper had lost favour with Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn and was thrown a lifeline by Rebels coach Dave Wessels, and has been everything he promised he could be.

“One of the reasons I came here was to work with Dave (Wessels) and to be challenged, and for me to challenge others. I have found that very stimulating,” said Cooper, who is out of contract at the end of this season.

Quade Cooper wants to stay in Melbourne. Picture: AAP

“Who knows, let’s hope it all works out well so I can continue my football here and strike up a deal. That would be great, hopefully sooner rather than later. But it’s out of my hands and you can only do so much as a player.

“There are people in higher places above my pay grade who make those decisions and hopefully I’m sitting in their plans. If you play good footy then those things work out, and I feel like I’ve been able to do that.

“It’s the same with the Wallabies. I’m not getting too far ahead of myself and last year I was playing club football. This year has been focusing on doing the best for Melbourne. If I get the opportunity to represent Australia, then great, but I don’t hold my breath about it.”

Cooper and Will Genia are the only two Rebels to have previously won a Super Rugby title, so their experience becomes invaluable.

Quade Cooper loves the Melbourne lifestyle. Picture: Stuart McEvoy/The Australian

For Cooper this season has been about getting continuity into both his training and football.

“It’s been a great season to see how we have put ourselves in a position to control our own destiny and play finals if we win this week.”

“I have played in finals and been fortunate to have won a Super Rugby title, so I know once you are there, ladders don’t exist. And we have played some good rugby against the top six teams. Plus we have played a great brand of football.

“I set a goal at the start of the year to maximise my time here in terms of playing football and play every game. It might sound like a small goal but in recent years I haven’t been able to find any rhythm.”